Investigating the effect of incorporated stimuli responsive groups on amphiphilic polymeric nanoparticles’ structure and its biological inte

Single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs), formed via intramolecular folding of an amphiphilic polymer chain, offer potential in versatile applications like drug delivery and bio-orthogonal catalysis. In this project, we aim to obtain on-demand control on the particle conformation in aqueous media via incorporation of various stimuli-responsive moieties. The resulting variations in the polymer microstructure are envisaged to steer the particle interactions with biological surroundings such as proteins, receptors or cellular membranes. Hereto, we have developed nanometre-sized polymeric particles comprising photoswitches or H-bonding moieties and are currently investigating their structure-interaction relationship. Elucidating their size, shape and compactness is of great importance to understand the influence of the introduced stimuli responsive groups on the particle microstructure and in line their biological interactions.