Biomimetic Nanostructures

Abstract

A review describes two biomimetic morphologies, worm micelles and vesicles from block copolymers, their underlying principles, and the applications that might be developed around them. Many biol. membrane processes can be mimicked by synthetic polymer vesicles, such as protein integration, fusion, DNA encapsulation, compatibility. It is equally clear that biomembranes are not optimized for either stability or equil. However, they do not need to be since they encapsulate sufficient machinery to maintain a dynamic, animated state. Perhaps the most useful concept to mimic and extend with block copolymers is the amphiphilicity template provided by lipids and related. [on SciFinder (R)]