Sequence-controlled polymers

Science. 2013 Aug 9;341(6146):1238149. doi: 10.1126/science.1238149.

Abstract

Sequence-controlled polymers are macromolecules in which monomer units of different chemical nature are arranged in an ordered fashion. The most prominent examples are biological and have been studied and used primarily by molecular biologists and biochemists. However, recent progress in protein- and DNA-based nanotechnologies has shown the relevance of sequence-controlled polymers to nonbiological applications, including data storage, nanoelectronics, and catalysis. In addition, synthetic polymer chemistry has provided interesting routes for preparing nonnatural sequence-controlled polymers. Although these synthetic macromolecules do not yet compare in functional scope with their natural counterparts, they open up opportunities for controlling the structure, self-assembly, and macroscopic properties of polymer materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopolymers / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / chemistry
  • Directed Molecular Evolution / methods
  • Nucleic Acids / biosynthesis
  • Nucleic Acids / chemical synthesis
  • Nucleic Acids / chemistry
  • Polymerization*
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Templates, Genetic

Substances

  • Biopolymers
  • Nucleic Acids
  • Polymers
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase