title: Amphiphilic star block copolymers as gene carrier part I: synthesis via ATRP using calix[4]resorcinarene-based initiators and characterization.
abstract: In this work, a cationic star polymer [poly(2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA)] was prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), using brominated calix[4]resorcinarene as an initiator. Hydrophobic moieties, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl acrylate (BA), were further incorporated via "one-pot" method. Well-defined eight-armed star block copolymers bearing hydrophilic blocks inside and hydrophobic blocks outside were synthesized. The molecular weight, particle size, electrophoretic mobility and apparent charge density were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), phase analysis light scattering (PALS) and colloidal titration, respectively. The zeta potentials and apparent charge densities of the products exhibited the characteristics of polyelectrolyte. The incorporation of hydrophobic moieties generated electrostatic screening effect. The as-synthesized amphiphilic star copolymer is promising as a thermo-sensitive gene carrier for gene therapy.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
authors.forename: Dafu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China. Electronic address: yguan@ecust.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3.
authors.forename: Huining
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D047250:Calixarenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004586:Electrophoresis; D007700:Kinetics; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D020366:Methylmethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D009757:Nylons / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D058105:Polymerization; D066244:Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D055672:Static Electricity
chemical_list: D008689:Methacrylates; D009757:Nylons; C407037:poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate); C466160:resorcinarene; D047250:Calixarenes; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; D010649:Phenylalanine