Bridging polymer science and medicine through supramolecular nanoassemblies

Abstract

Boundaries between synthetic polymers and biology are disappearing as an increasing number of manmade macromolecular constructs take a central role in biological processes. The research in this area has been continuously growing since the structure of polymers was proposed by Hermann Staudinger, with landmark findings in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Polymeric systems in the biological interface have evolved from linear bioactive polymers into self-assembled nanostructures with compartmentalized architectures that perform versatile complex processes within specific cellular locations. Due to their supramolecular nature, it is possible to integrate the structural and functional information of these nanoassemblies just by engineering the starting macromolecules. These assemblies have demonstrated high clinical potential for efficient site-specific sensing, transport, and modulation of bioactive molecules by taking advantage of their controlled interaction with physiological environments. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.