Sign in Subscribe
Nanotechnology

Breakthrough in Nanoparticle Research: Leiden University Presents New Study on Cylindrical Polymer Brushes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Leiden University have made a significant discovery in the field of nanotechnology, unveiling a novel method for synthesizing nanoparticles with precise control over their properties. According to the study published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, cylindrical polymer brushes (CPBs) have been developed, enabling remarkable control over nanoparticle size, shape, and surface functionality. The spatial dimensions and molecular weights of the resulting polymeric nanoparticles can be adjusted by modifying the ratio of backbone to side chain length and the chemical nature of both parts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study presents a convenient and straightforward synthetic pathway to polypept(o)ide-based CPBs using a "grafting-from" strategy, leveraging poly-l-lysine (pLys) as the macroinitiator backbone and polysarcosine (pSar) as the side chain.
  • The resulting polymeric nanoparticles exhibit high biocompatibility and extended circulation time in zebrafish, leveraging the stealth-like properties of pSar.
  • CPBs display thermal stability in phosphate-buffered saline at elevated temperatures (60 °C for 24 h) and display notable circulation in zebrafish embryos (up to 3 days).
  • The study reports the synthesis of nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 12 to 41 nm, aspect ratios from 1.7 to 8.3, and molecular weights from 350 to 2980 kg mol.
  • The researchers found that enzymatic degradation is feasible by the natural protease B from and enables the analysis of pSar side chains upon cleavage.
  • The study aims to contribute to the development of biodegradable nanoparticles for various biomedical applications.

Statistics:

  • The nanoparticles exhibit a high grafting density of pSar side chains from the pLys backbone, up to 85%.
  • Thermally stable in phosphate-buffered saline at elevated temperatures (60 °C for 24 h).
  • Display notable circulation in zebrafish embryos for up to 3 days.
  • Molecular weights of the polymeric nanoparticles range from 350 to 2980 kg mol.

Sources:

  • Polypept(o)ide Based Biodegradable Cylindrical Polymer Brushes: Controlling Size, Shape, Surface Functionality, and Stability. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2025.
  • Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333CC, Netherlands.

Read more