Polymer Protein Conjugates

Polymer–Protein Conjugates: From Pegylation and Beyond helps researchers by offering a unique reference and guide into this fascinating area. Sections cover the challenges surrounding the homogeneity of conjugates, their purity and polymer toxicity on long-term use, and how to deal with the risk of immunogenicity. These discussions help researchers design new projects by taking into account the latest innovations for safe and site selective polymer conjugation to proteins. PEG has been the gold standard and likely will play this role for many years, but alternatives are coming into the market, some of which have already been launched. After five decades of improvements, the ideas in this book are entering into a new era of innovation because of the advances in genetic engineering, biochemistry and a better understanding of the results from clinical use of PEG conjugates in humans. Provides an overview on the state-of-the-art of protein polymer conjugation Presents both the pros and cons of polymer-protein conjugates from the point-of-view of their clinical outcomes Outlines advantages and potential risks of present technology based on PEG Offers new alternatives for PEG and new approaches for on site-selective protein modification Identifies future direction of research in this field

PEGylation technology and key applications are introduced by this topical volume. Basic physical and chemical properties of PEG as basis for altering/improving in vivo behaviour of PEG-conjugates such as increased stability, improved PK/PD, and decreased immunogenicity, are discussed. Furthermore, chemical and enzymatic strategies for the coupling and the conjugate characterization are reported. Following chapters describe approved and marketed PEG-proteins and PEG-oligonucleotides as well as conjugates in various stages of clinical development.

This book is devoted to the engineering of protein-based nanostructures and nanomaterials. One key challenge in nanobiotechnology is to be able to exploit the natural repertoire of protein structures and functions to build materials with defined properties at the nanoscale using “bottom-up” strategies. This book addresses in an integrated manner all the critical aspects that need to be understood and considered to design the next generation of nano-bio assemblies. The book covers first the fundamentals of the design and features of the protein building blocks and their self-assembly illustrating some of the most relevant examples of nanostructural design. Finally, the book contains a section dedicated to demonstrated applications of these novel bioinspired nanostructures in different fields from hybrid nanomaterials to regenerative medicine. This book provides a comprehensive updated review of this rapidly evolving field.

An introduction to the state-of-the-art of the diverse self-assembly systems Self-Assembly: From Surfactants to Nanoparticles provides an effective entry for new researchers into this exciting field while also giving the state of the art assessment of the diverse self-assembling systems for those already engaged in this research. Over the last twenty years, self-assembly has emerged as a distinct science/technology field, going well beyond the classical surfactant and block copolymer molecules, and encompassing much larger and complex molecular, biomolecular and nanoparticle systems. Within its ten chapters, each contributed by pioneers of the respective research topics, the book: Discusses the fundamental physical chemical principles that govern the formation and properties of self-assembled systems Describes important experimental techniques to characterize the properties of self-assembled systems, particularly the nature of molecular organization and structure at the nano, meso or micro scales. Provides the first exhaustive accounting of self-assembly derived from various kinds of biomolecules including peptides, DNA and proteins. Outlines methods of synthesis and functionalization of self-assembled nanoparticles and the further self-assembly of the nanoparticles into one, two or three dimensional materials. Explores numerous potential applications of self-assembled structures including nanomedicine applications of drug delivery, imaging, molecular diagnostics and theranostics, and design of materials to specification such as smart responsive materials and self-healing materials. Highlights the unifying as well as contrasting features of self-assembly, as we move from surfactant molecules to nanoparticles. Written for students and academic and industrial scientists and engineers, by pioneers of the research field, Self-Assembly: From Surfactants to Nanoparticles is a comprehensive resource on diverse self-assembly systems, that is simultaneously introductory as well as the state of the art.

Bioconjugate Techniques, 2nd Edition, is the essential guide to the modification and cross linking of biomolecules for use in research, diagnostics, and therapeutics. It provides highly detailed information on the chemistry, reagent systems, and practical applications for creating labeled or conjugate molecules. It also describes dozens of reactions with details on hundreds of commercially available reagents and the use of these reagents for modifying or cross linking peptides and proteins, sugars and polysaccharides, nucleic acids and oligonucleotides, lipids, and synthetic polymers. A one-stop source for proven methods and protocols for synthesizing bioconjugates in the lab Step-by-step presentation makes the book an ideal source for researchers who are less familiar with the synthesis of bioconjugates More than 600 figures that visually describe the complex reactions associated with the synthesis of bioconjugates Includes entirely new chapters on the latest areas in the field of bioconjugation as follows: Microparticles and nanoparticlesSilane coupling agentsDendrimers and dendronsChemoselective ligationQuantum dotsLanthanide chelatesCyanine dyesDiscrete PEG compoundsBuckyballs,fullerenes, and carbon nanotubesMass tags and isotope tagsBioconjugation in the study of protein interactions

Functionalized polymers are macromolecules to which chemically bound functional groups are attached which can be used as catalysts, reagents, protective groups, etc. Functionalized polymers have low cost, ease of processing and attractive features for functional organic molecules. Chemical reactions for the introduction of functional groups in polymers and the conversion of functional groups in polymers depend on different properties. Such properties are of great importance for functionalization reactions for possible applications of reactive polymers. This book deals with the synthesis and design of various functional polymers, the modification of preformed polymer backbones and their various applications.

This book details polysaccharides and other important biomacromolecules covering their source, production, structures, properties, and current and potential application in the fields of biotechnology and medicine. It includes a systematic discussion on the general strategies of isolation, separation and characterization of polysaccharides and proteins. Subsequent chapters are devoted to polysaccharides obtained from various sources, including botanical, algal, animal and microbial. In the area of botanical polysaccharides, separate chapters are devoted to the sources, structure, properties and medical applications of cellulose and its derivatives, starch and its derivatives, pectins, and exudate gums, notably gum arabic. Another chapter discusses the potential of hemicelluloses (xylans and xylan derivatives) as a new source of functional biopolymers for biomedical and industrial applications. The algal polysaccharide, alginate, has significant application in food, pharmaceuticals and the medical field, all of which are reviewed in a separate chapter. Polysaccharides of animal origin are included with separate chapters on the sources, production, biocompatibility, biodegradability and biomedical applications of chitin (chitosan) and hyaluronan. With the increasing knowledge and applications of genetic engineering there is also an introduction in the book to nucleic acid polymers, the genome research and genetic engineering. Proteins and protein conjugates are covered, with one chapter providing a general review of structural glycoproteins, fibronectin and laminin, together with their role in the promotion of cell adhesion in vascular grafts, implants and tissue engineering. Another chapter discusses general aspects of a number of industrial proteins, including casein, caseinates, whey protein, gluten and soy proteins, with emphasis on their medical applications, and with reference to the potential of bacterial proteins. Another natural polymer resource, microbial polyesters, although small compared with polysaccharides and proteins, is also gaining increasing interest in biomedical technology and other industrial sectors. One chapter, therefore, is devoted to microbial polyesters, with comprehensive coverage of their biosynthesis, properties, enzymic degradation and applications. By dealing with biopolymers at the molecular level, the book is aimed at the biomedical and wider materials science communities and provides an advanced overview of biopolymers at the graduate and postgraduate level. In addition it will appeal to both academic and industrial life scientists who are involved in research and development activities in the medical and biotechnology field.

Contemporary approaches to the synthesis of chemically modified biomacromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates) not only require efficient means to control conjugation and the specific site of attachment of the conjugated moiety but also the effective use of recent developments in the fields of pharmaceutical chemistry, biomolecular/polymer engineering, and nanobiotechnology. In this second edition of Bioconjugation Protocols: Strategies and Methods, expert researchers update the classic methods and introduce valuable new approaches that go beyond basic conjugation techniques to include elements from advanced organic synthesis, molecular biology, surface biotechnology, materials science, and nanobioscience/engineering. These readily reproducible methods cover the preparation of biomolecular conjugates using a variety of labeling techniques and semisynthetic approaches. Additional chapters address the biofunctionalization of surface structures, including organic/inorganic thin films, as well as various types of nanostructures (magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, and silicon nanowire devices). All the protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, each one offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and highly practical, Bioconjugation Protocols: Strategies and Methods, Second Edition offers both novice and experienced researchers access to the broad array of techniques needed to carry out the semisynthesis of functional biomolecular reagents and/or the biofunctionalization of surfaces and structures of unique interest for a wide variety of applications, ranging from novel biomedical diagnostics to powerful new therapeutics to advanced biomaterials.