Degradable Polymeric Architectures Created by Ring-Opening Polymerisation Induced Self-Assembly

材料合成最初将侧重于通过N-羧酸酐开环聚合生成多(氨基酸)。聚合将与PISA同时进行，以开发用于控制释放应用的候选文库。至关重要的是，该项目将致力于在自组装过程中封装活性分子，作为一种在没有额外加载步骤的情况下将活性成分封装在聚合物颗粒中的方法。此前，PISA缺乏客体分子的负载，因此预计该概念对治疗和农用化学品等高价值化学品的封装和受控释放具有重要意义。还将研究其他形式的开环聚合，例如内酯和O-羧酸酐的聚合。此外，还将从透明质酸等生物分子中接枝聚合物，以确定在存在活性成分的情况下是否有可能进行PISA。将使用与聚合物化学相关的常规分析技术，包括核磁共振和傅里叶变换红外光谱、凝胶渗透色谱和差示扫描量热法分析。将进行广泛的SAXS表征，以确定聚合物组成、活性成分和颗粒形态之间的联系。该项目的想法是将农用化学品包裹在可降解的聚合物颗粒中。虽然有人认为这仍然是一个有效的目标，但随后与先正达的谈话显示，重点是聚合物作为可能的分散剂、流变性改进剂，以及可能的种子包衣。该项目将生产适合于此类应用的两亲性嵌段共聚物，有望为该项目提供商业意义。从单体到载药纳米粒的一锅法将药物分子包埋在聚合物纳米粒中，对制药工业具有潜在的意义。因此，我们将向AZ提交初步结果，以确定材料在制药环境中的潜力。所有创作的材料都将是原创的、实用的，并具有广泛的特点。因此，该项目的潜在学术影响是相当大的，可以发表许多出版物。

Material synthesis will initially focus on the creation of poly(amino acids) by N-carboxyanhydride ring-opening polymerisation. Polymerisation will be done simultaneously with PISA to develop a library of candidates for use in controlled release applications. Crucially, this project will aim to encapsulate active molecules during the self-assembly process as a method to encapsulate active ingredients within polymeric particles in the absence of an additional loading step. Previously, PISA has lacked the loading of guest molecules and so it is envisaged that the concept has significance for the encapsulation and controlled release of high value chemicals such as therapeutics and agrochemicals. Other forms of ring-opening polymerisation will be investigated, such as the polymerisation of lactones and O-carboxyanhydrides. Additionally, polymers will be grafted from biomolecules such hyaluronic acid to determine if PISA in the presence of active ingredients is possible. Conventional analytical techniques associated with polymer chemistry will be used including NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, GPC, and DLS analysis. Extensive SAXS characterisation will be undertaken to determine a link between polymer composition, active ingredient, and particle morphology.The project idea was conceived as a method to encapsulate agrochemicals within degradable polymeric particles. Whilst there is a belief that this remains a valid target, subsequent conversation with Syngenta revealed that there focus lies in polymers as possible dispersants, rheology modifiers and maybe seed coatings. Amphiphilic block copolymer will be produced in this project that are suitable for such applications, hopefully offering the project commercial significance. The encapsulation of drug molecules within polymeric nanoparticles in a one pot process from monomer to drug-loaded nanoparticle is of potential significance to the pharmaceutical industry. Consequently, we will present initial results to AZ to determine the potential of the materials within a pharmaceutical context. All materials created will be original, functional, and extensively characterised. The potential academic impact of the project is therefore considerable with scope for numerous publications.