ATRP in the design of functional materials for biomedical applications

Prog Polym Sci. 2012 Jan 1;37(1):18-37. doi: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2011.08.001. Epub 2011 Aug 25.

Abstract

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) is an effective technique for the design and preparation of multifunctional, nanostructured materials for a variety of applications in biology and medicine. ATRP enables precise control over macromolecular structure, order, and functionality, which are important considerations for emerging biomedical designs. This article reviews recent advances in the preparation of polymer-based nanomaterials using ATRP, including polymer bioconjugates, block copolymer-based drug delivery systems, cross-linked microgels/nanogels, diagnostic and imaging platforms, tissue engineering hydrogels, and degradable polymers. It is envisioned that precise engineering at the molecular level will translate to tailored macroscopic physical properties, thus enabling control of the key elements for realized biomedical applications.

Keywords: Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP); Bioactive surfaces; Bioconjugation; Biomaterials; Biomedical engineering; Block copolymers; Drug delivery; Functionality; Imaging; Nanogels; Nanoparticles; Polymer grafting; Polymeric micelles; Tissue engineering.