Dispersions of polymer particle (DPPs) are increasingly being exploited both as biomolecule carriers, and as markers in various DPP biomedical applications related to cell and molecular biology, enzymology, immunology, diagnostics, in vitro and in vivo visualization, bioseparation, etc. Their potential to reduce reaction scales, lower costs, improve the rate, sensitivity, selectivity, stability and reproducibility of assays governs the diversity of their bioapplications. This review focuses on the design of DPPs with innovative special properties in the course of free radical heterophase polymerization that provides careful control of both macromolecular and colloidal properties. We demonstrate approaches that, according to the polymerization technique, regulate the particle size, shape, particle size distribution, morphology, surface chemistry and functionality, as well as the formation of organic-inorganic hybrid DPPs. The production of bioreagents based on DPPs and their use in bioassay are also reviewed.
Keywords: Hybrid polymer particles; Polymer particle dispersion; Polymer particle-utilized bioassays; Polymerization technique; Surface functionality.
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