Yan Zhang1, Yunchuan Qi2, Sébastien Ulrich3, Mihail Barboiu4, Olof Ramström2,5. 1. Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P.R. China. 2. Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Ave. Lowell, MA 01854, USA. 3. Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), CNRS, Université of Montpellier, ENSCM, Montpellier, France. 4. Institut Européen des Membranes, Adaptive Supramolecular Nanosystems Group, University of Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS, Place Eugène Bataillon, CC 047, F-34095, Montpellier, France. 5. Department of Chemical and Biomedical Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden.
Abstract
The rapid development of supramolecular polymer chemistry and constitutional dynamic chemistry over the last decades has made tremendous impact on the emergence of dynamic covalent polymers. These materials are formed through reversible covalent bonds, endowing them with adaptive and responsive features that have resulted in high interest throughout the community. Owing to their intriguing properties, such as self-healing, shape-memory effects, recyclability, degradability, stimuli-responsiveness, etc., the materials have found multiple uses in a wide range of areas. Of special interest is their increasing use for biomedical applications, and many examples have been demonstrated in recent years. These materials have thus been used for the recognition and sensing of biologically active compounds, for the modulation of enzyme activity, for gene delivery, and as materials for cell culture, delivery, and wound-dressing. In this review, some of these endeavors are discussed, highlighting the many advantages and unique properties of dynamic covalent polymers for use in biology and biomedicine.
The rapid development of supramolecular polymer chemistry and constitutional dynamic chemistry over the last decades has made tremendous impact on the emergence of dynamic covalent n class="Chemical">polymers. These materials are formed through reversible covalent bonds, endowing them with adaptive and responsive features that have resulted in high interest throughout the community. Owing to their intriguing properties, such as self-healing, shape-memory effects, recyclability, degradability, stimuli-responsiveness, etc., the materials have found multiple uses in a wide range of areas. Of special interest is their increasing use for biomedical applications, and many examples have been demonstrated in recent years. These materials have thus been used for the recognition and sensing of biologically active compounds, for the modulation of enzyme activity, for gene delivery, and as materials for cell culture, delivery, and wound-dressing. In this review, some of these endeavors are discussed, highlighting the many advantages and unique properties of dynamic covalent polymers for use in biology and biomedicine.