Multifunctional Hybrid Nanomaterials: Development to Biomedical Applications

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Under the general theme of polymer and dendrimer chemistry, the objective of this research program, consisting of three projects, is to create new classes of macromolecules that converge in their use in nanomedicine. Research in fundamental science is the basis for development of materials for real world applications. Through this research program, our short-term goal is to rationally design new structures and study their unique resulting properties, and, in the long-term, use them as building blocks to fabricate novel nanomaterials for biomedical applications. The first project aims to create a new class of well-defined metallopolymers. Although a wide variety of metallopolymers have been reported, those based on N-heterocyclic crabenes (NHCs) are very rare. This is in sharp contrast with the fact that NHCs have been shown to form strong bonds to many metal ions. In our approach, we will synthesize a variety of metallopolymers based on NHCmetal complexes with metals such as Au and Ag. We will then use these new materials as novel precursors for the synthesis of nanoparticles with controlled dimensions and compositions and, hence, fine-tuned optoelectronic properties for dry delivery applications. In the second project, we will introduce crystalline linear-dendritic block copolymers (BCPs) as new self-assembling building blocks for nanomaterial engineering. Although the synthesis and self-assembly of amorphous linear-dendritic BCPs is reported to some extent, there are no examples of linear-dendritic BCPs with crystalline segments. Using this newly-developed class of BCPs, we will form nanomaterials that have long blood circulation times while, at the same time, are capable of effectively interacting with biological systems. The focus of the third project will be the design and synthesis of nanomaterials based on highly-fluorinated dendrimers. Unlike fluorinated linear polymers, there are only handful reports showcasing fluorinated dendrimers in the literature. Using our new fluorinated dendrimers, their in-depth self-assembly study can open exciting opportunities in nanomedicine. Besides their use as drug delivery vehicles, we will also investigate these materials as inherently-active nanostrutures in 19F magnetic resonance imaging. The proposed research program is at the cutting edge of functional polymer-, dendrimer-, and nanomaterials fields. Outcomes of this innovative program will make high-impact contributions to the highly-growing field of materials chemistry, nationally and internationally. Through this program, highly qualified personnel will receive extensive training in organic, inorganic, and materials synthesis and characterization techniques, and will be exposed to extensive collaboration opportunities with bio- and computational chemists, all of which will be essential to develop necessary skillset for their future careers.