Synthesis and Self-assembly of a DNA-conjugated Poly(propylene glycol) Derivative

Abstract

Due to several characteristic features of DNA (e. g., genetic coding transfer and nanoscaled accuracy or so), DNA based compounds have been recently highlighted in a variety of research fields, including physics, chemistry, engineering or so. To date, they have been expanded into a hybrid form conjugated with conventional polymer groups. Such synthetic hybrid conjugates can be organized into multi-dimensional nano- or micro-structures; rod, sheet, and spherical shaped nanomaterials [1]. In this study, we showed a novel block copolymer composed of DNA and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) (designated as DNA-b-PPG) for the self-assembled construction into three-dimensional vesicular structures.