Explorating stimuli-responsive degradation: a versatile platform to develop multifunctional polymeric nanomaterials

我实验室的研究使大分子纳米材料(纳米材料)的设计和加工能够解决生物学和材料科学十字路口的重要问题。刺激响应降解(SRD)平台涉及将动态共价键(或可断裂的键)结合到纳米材料中，这些键可以在需要时对外部刺激(酸性pH和光以及还原、氧化和酶反应)做出反应而被切割。展示SRD的纳米材料被设计成可以在动态连接断裂时被降解，从而允许我们改变物理性质，控制形态，并且重要的是增强药物释放。*我的研究计划专注于探索多功能SRD，以开发各种先进的多功能纳米材料，如递送纳米载体、细胞成像剂、组织支架以及燃料电池聚合物材料。这些新材料可以与生物过程相结合，了解它们的生物学功能可以为癌症研究、诊断和治疗提供巨大的潜力。此外，我们开发用于能源相关应用的高价值聚合物材料将极大地促进全球在节约化石燃料和开发替代能源方面的努力。这项有四个目标的研究计划将影响我们对如何为生物和纳米科学研究设计基于聚合物的纳米材料的基本理解和知识的进步。

The research in my laboratory enables the design and processing of macromolecular nanoscale materials (nanomaterials) to address important problems at the crossroads of biology and materials science. A stimuli-responsive degradation (SRD) platform involves the incorporation of dynamic covalent bonds (or cleavable linkages) into nanomaterials, which can be cleaved in response to external stimuli (acidic pH and light as well as reductive, oxidative, and enzymatic reactions), when required. SRD-exhibiting nanomaterials are designed to be degradable upon the cleavage of dynamic linkages, thus allow us to change physical property, control morphology, and importantly enhance drug release. ***My research program focuses on the exploration of the versatile SRD to develop a variety of advanced multifunctional nanomaterials as delivery nanocarriers, cellular imaging agents, and tissue scaffolds as well as fuel cell polymeric materials. These novel materials can interface with biological processes, and an understanding of their biological functions can offer enormous potential for cancer research, diagnosis and therapeutics. Furthermore, our development of high-value polymeric materials for energy-related applications will greatly contribute to global efforts in conserving fossil fuels as well as developing alternative energy sources. This research program outlined with four objectives will impact on our fundamental understanding and advancement of knowledge regarding how to design polymer-based nanomaterials for biological and nanoscience research.***