Well-defined cationic glycopolymers and glyconanoparticles for biomedical applications

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This research program is focused towards the design of novel cationic glycopolymers and glyconanoparticles for the study of biomolecular recognition processes and gene delivery applications. Synthetic glycopolymers and glyconanoparticles have attracted a great deal of attention lately as they can exhibit similar properties to naturally occurring glycoproteins and polysaccharides. Peptides and proteins with carbohydrate moieties attached to their backbone have many desirable biological properties, but their chemical synthesis is a technical challenge. Therefore, designing carbohydrate based materials that can perform similar functions as glycoproteins or can recognize glycoproteins is a viable approach for better understanding of the cellular recognition processes such as uptake, cell growth regulation, differentiation, adhesion, cellular trafficking, inflammation by bacteria and viruses and the immune response. Designing carbohydrate based materials have several other benefits such as improving the solubility of the materials in physiological conditions, imparting biocompatibility in the materials, and allowing biomolecular recognition processes. In this research program, our primary focus is to explore novel glycopolymers and glyconanoparticles with cyclic carbohydrate residues (such as pendent galactose residues) for highly specific biomolecular interactions and for gene delivery purposes. To provide more functionality on the polymers and nanoparticles, other bioactive groups will be attached covalently to promote specific binding. Another important aspect of the research will focus on understanding cellular events and delivery of gene inside cells using those advanced multi-functional carbohydrate based nano-materials. In addition to the saccharide moieties on the surface of the nanoparticles, we also plan to integrate phosphoryl choline groups for enhanced bioaffinity of the nanoparticles and to prevent unfavorable non-specific binding.