Abstract
Natural inspiration: Amphiphilic polysaccharide-block-polypeptide copolymers were synthesized by click chemistry from dextran end-functionalized with an alkyne group and poly(gamma-benzyl L-glutamate) end-functionalized with an azide group. The ability of these copolymers to self-assemble into small vesicles (see picture) suggests the possibility of a new generation of drug- and gene-delivery systems whose structure mimics that of viruses.
MeSH terms
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Azides / chemical synthesis
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Azides / chemistry
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Capsid / chemistry
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Dextrans / chemical synthesis*
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Dextrans / chemistry
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Drug Carriers / chemical synthesis
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Drug Carriers / chemistry
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Gene Transfer Techniques
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Particle Size
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Peptides / chemical synthesis
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Peptides / chemistry
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Polyglutamic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
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Polyglutamic Acid / chemical synthesis
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Polyglutamic Acid / chemistry
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Polymers / chemical synthesis*
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Polymers / chemistry
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Polysaccharides / chemical synthesis
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Polysaccharides / chemistry
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Viruses / chemistry
Substances
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Azides
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Dextrans
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Drug Carriers
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Peptides
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Polymers
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Polysaccharides
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dextran-block-poly(-benzyl L-glutamate) copolymer
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poly-gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate
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Polyglutamic Acid