title: High-Resolution Imaging of Polyethylene Glycol Coated Dendrimers via Combined Atomic Force and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.
abstract: Dendrimers have shown great promise as drug delivery vehicles in recent years because they can be synthesized with designed size and functionalities for optimal transportation, targeting, and biocompatibility. One of the most well-known termini used for biocompatibility is polyethylene glycol (PEG), whose performance is affected by its actual conformation. However, the conformation of individual PEG bound to soft materials such as dendrimers has not been directly observed. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), this work characterizes the structure adopted by PEGylated dendrimers with the highest resolution reported to date. AFM imaging enables visualization of the individual dendrimers, as well as the differentiation and characterization of the dendrimer core and PEG shell. STM provides direct imaging of the PEG extensions with high-resolution. Collectively, this investigation provides important insight into the structure of coated dendrimers, which is crucial for the design and development of better drug delivery vehicles.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors: Shawn
authors: 0000-0002-5713-5534
authors: S
authors: Riechers
authors: Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors: Qian
authors: Q
authors: Zhong
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors: Nai-Ning
authors: NN
authors: Yin
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors: Arpad
authors: A
authors: Karsai
authors: Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors: Sandro R P
authors: SR
authors: da Rocha
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors: Gang-Yu
authors: GY
authors: Liu