Influence of Glycopolymer Structure on Amphiphilic, Hybrid, Linear Branched Block Copolymer Properties for use in Biomedical Applications

The focus of this dissertation is evaluating and adding fundamental knowledge regarding the structure-property relations of glycopolymers used in the design of hybrid block copolymers (HBC) that are cable of self-assembling into delivery vehicles for biomedical applications. A shift to the utilization of natural materials in the design and fabrication of drug-delivery vehicles has garnered significant attention. Understanding the effects of linear glycopolymers content and composition on the resulting HBCs properties can provide valuable insight into how these materials may be tailored for use in targeted biological applications. The first chapter introduces current literature on the need for improvement in self-assembled delivery vehicles and the unique properties of synthetic glycopolymers that lead to their desirable use in biomedical applications. In the second chapter, the synthesis of HBCs containing linear polyacrylamides with β-glucose pendant groups (pGlcEAm) and branched PLA is presented. Here we report that changes in hydrophilic/hydrophobic weight ratios, by altering the glycopolymer molecular weight, influence the self-assembled morphology and dye loading levels of the resulting nanostructures. In the third chapter, variation of the hydrophilic blocks composition (pHEAm, pGlcEAm, or pGalEAm) is reported. The pendant saccharide groups stereochemistry is shown to influence the resulting HBCs thermal properties and highly dictates the binding affinity of self-assembled structures. In the fourth chapter, HEAm and β-galactose acrylamide glyco-copolymers were synthesized at varying comonomer composition. The glyco-copolymers composition and architecture were analyzed and influenced the binding affinity based on multivalency and crowding effects.