Catalytically Active Single-Chain Polymeric Nanoparticles: Exploring Their Functions in Complex Biological Media.

ABSTRACT: Dynamic single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) are intriguing, bioinspired architectures that result from the collapse or folding of an individual polymer chain into a nanometer-sized particle. Here we present a detailed biophysical study on the behavior of dynamic SCPNs in living cells and an evaluation of their catalytic functionality in such a complex medium. We first developed a number of delivery strategies that allowed the selective localization of SCPNs in different cellular compartments. Live/dead tests showed that the SCPNs were not toxic to cells while spectral imaging revealed that SCPNs provide a structural shielding and reduced the influence from the outer biological media. The ability of SCPNs to act as catalysts in biological media was first assessed by investigating t

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5997400 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature