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Self-Assembled Block Copolymer Aggregates: From Micelles to Vesicles and their Biological Applications

  1. Adam Blanazs,
  2. Steven P. Armes*,
  3. Anthony J. Ryan*

Article first published online: 22 JAN 2009

DOI: 10.1002/marc.200800713

Issue

Macromolecular Rapid Communications

Macromolecular Rapid Communications

Special Issue: Dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of Macromolecular Rapid Communications

Volume 30, Issue 4-5, pages 267–277, February 18, 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Blanazs, A., Armes, S. P. and Ryan, A. J. (2009), Self-Assembled Block Copolymer Aggregates: From Micelles to Vesicles and their Biological Applications. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 30: 267–277. doi: 10.1002/marc.200800713

Author Information

  1. Department of Chemistry, Dainton Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S3 7HF, UK

*Department of Chemistry, Dainton Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S3 7HF, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 FEB 2009
  2. Article first published online: 22 JAN 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 2 DEC 2008
  4. Manuscript Received: 17 NOV 2008

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Keywords:

  • biological applications of polymers;
  • diblock copolymers;
  • drug delivery systems;
  • enzymes;
  • self-assembly

Abstract

The ability of amphiphilic block copolymers to self-assemble in selective solvents has been widely studied in academia and utilized for various commercial products. The self-assembled polymer vesicle is at the forefront of this nanotechnological revolution with seemingly endless possible uses, ranging from biomedical to nanometer-scale enzymatic reactors. This review is focused on the inherent advantages in using polymer vesicles over their small molecule lipid counterparts and the potential applications in biology for both drug delivery and synthetic cellular reactors.

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