title: Star-Shaped Polypeptides: Synthesis and Opportunities for Delivery of Therapeutics.
abstract: Significant advances in the synthesis of polypeptides by N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) polymerisation over the last decade have enabled the design of advanced polypeptide architectures such as star-shaped polypeptides. These materials combine the functionality offered by amino acids with the flexibility of creating stable nanoparticles with adjustable cargo space for therapeutic delivery. This review highlights recent advances in the synthesis of star polypeptides by NCA polymerisation followed by a critical review of the applications of this class of polymer in the delivery of therapeutic agents. This includes examples of traditional small-molecule drugs as well as the emerging class of biologics such as genetic therapeutics (gene delivery).
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kapetanakis
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramsey
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.|Tissue Engineering Research Group, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.|Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sally-Ann
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cryan
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.|School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heise
keywords: N-carboxyanhydride; drug delivery; gene delivery; polypeptides; star polypeptides