Abstract
We have developed novel polymeric systems that aggregate in aqueous media to form nanospheric particles. Our polymeric system constitutes guanidine functional groups and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) units. The guanidine group is an important structural component in many biologically active compounds. Because of their strongly basic character, guanidines are fully protonated under physiological conditions. The positive charge thus imposed on the molecule forms the basis for specific interactions between the ligand and receptor or the enzyme and substrate. The PEG units may form a characteristic micelle structure with a hydrophilic shell layer surrounding the core of the polyion complex (PIC) formed between DNA and the cation segments (PIC micelles).
Acknowledgments
AKS thanks the CFCI, University of Massachusetts Lowell for financial assistance.