Publications by authors named "Jacob G Ray"
A facile synthetic pathway for preparing block copolymers with pH-responsive L-glutamic acid segments for membrane disruption is reported. Aqueous reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (aRAFT) polymerization was first used to prepare biocompatible, nonimmunogenic poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide]. This macro chain transfer agent (CTA) was then converted into a macroinitiator via simultaneous aminolysis and thiol-ene Michael addition using the primary amine substituted N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide.
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- The study focuses on creating and analyzing poly(L-lysine)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(L-lysine) (KPK) triblock copolymers with a high proportion of lysine, over 75 wt%.
- Unlike PK diblock copolymers, the KPK triblock copolymers show changes in shape based on the pH levels, transitioning between spherical micelles, vesicles, and disk micelles.
- The researchers explain these shape shifts by examining the energy costs of the core P block folding into spherical micelles, which relates to the charge conditions of the K block and its effect on surface curvature.
Macromolecular stars containing reversible boronic ester linkages were prepared by an arm-first approach by reacting well-defined boronic acid-containing block copolymers with multifunctional 1,2/1,3-diols. Homopolymers of 3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid (APBA) formed macroscopic dynamic-covalent networks when cross-linked with multifunctional diols. On the other hand, adding the diol cross-linkers to block copolymers of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide (PDMA))-b-poly(APBA) led to nanosized multiarm stars with boronic ester cores and PDMA coronas.
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- A series of poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(L-lysine) (PPO-PK) block copolymers were created using a specific chemical reaction, and their behavior when dissolved in solution was analyzed using various microscopy and spectroscopy techniques.
- The PPO-PK copolymers showed a notable difference in pH behavior compared to previous poly(lysine) studies, which may be linked to changes in the hydrophobic properties of the PPO core.
- The study also explored how the unique properties of these copolymers could lead to self-assembly that responds to both pH and temperature, and assessed their potential for drug delivery through vesicle formation.
We describe the synthesis of homo-, block, and clickable copolypeptide brushes from low surface area substrates using nickel-mediated surface-initiated polymerization of α-amino N-carboxyanhydrides.
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