research

Synthesis and self-assembly of biomimetic polymers

Synthetic polymers occupy a central place in our daily lives. The diverse structures of these macromolecules result in vastly different and useful practical applications. However, while the polymer chemist can control the microstructure of polymers (i.e., the arrangement of the repeat units), controlling the arrangement of polymer chains relative to each other is more difficult, and is an area of active research. We definitely know that changing the arrangement of polymer chains is responsible for many of their properties, and thus the control of polymer chain orientation is an area of intense research.
Our research group is interested in using biopolymers like DNA as a source of inspiration, in order to control the organization of polymer chains. For this, we use the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) to generate polymers containing DNA bases or analogues on their backbones. Thus, while synthetic polymers are normally disordered, we expect that molecular recognition between A-T and C-G pairs will direct these polymers into very well-defined structures.

Not only can polymer chains recognize each other and self-organize in a predetermined way (like complementary DNA strands), but these polymers can recognize biomolecules and bind to them strongly. Thus they can interface biological systems very efficiently, leading to many applications, such as biosensors and drug delivery agents.
Shown here is a transmission electron micrograph of the kinds of structures (approx. 100 nm in size) which can be obtained by the self-assembly of these biomimetic polymers.

This project provides extensive training in the synthesis of biologically active small molecules, in polymer synthesis and self-assembly, and in the design of DNA analogues.

• H. S. Bazzi, J. Bouffard, H. F. Sleiman*; "Self-Complementary ABC Triblock Copolymers via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization", Macromolecules, 2003, 36, 7899-7902. (Communication), pdf
• H. S. Bazzi, H. F. Sleiman*; "Adenine-Containing Block Coplymers via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization: Synthesis and Self-Assembly into Rod Morphologies", Macromolecules, 2002, 9617-9620. (Communication), pdf
• J. Dalphond, H. Bazzi, K. Kahrim, H. F. Sleiman*; "Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Polymers Containing Dicarboximide Groups by Living Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization", Macromolecular Chem. Phys., 2002, 203, 1988-1994. (Full paper), pdf