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（或可切割键）结合到纳米材料中，纳米材料可以在需要时响应外部刺激（酸性pH值和光以及还原，氧化和酶促反应）进行切割。展示srd的纳米材料被设计成在动态键的裂解后可降解，从而允许我们改变物理性质，控制形态，并重要地增强药物释放。***我的研究项目主要集中在探索多功能SRD，开发各种先进的多功能纳米材料，作为递送纳米载体，细胞显像剂，组织支架以及燃料电池聚合物材料。这些新型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，我们为能源相关应用开发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。该研究计划概述了四个目标，将影响我们对如何设计用于生物和纳米科学研究的聚合物基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.***