Biofunctionalized block copolymer nanoparticles based on ring-opening metathesis polymerization

We present an approach to the synthesis of biofunctionalized block copolymer nanoparticles based on ring-opening metathesis polymerization; these nanoparticles may serve as novel scaffolds for the multivalent display of ligands. The nanoparticles are formed by the self-assembly of diblock copolymers composed of a hydrophobic block and a hydrophilic activated block that can be functionalized with thiolated ligands in aqueous media. The activated block enables control over the orientation of the displayed ligands, which may be sugars, peptides, or proteins engineered to contain cysteine residues at suitable locations. The nanoparticle diameter can be varied over a wide range through changes in the composition of the block copolymer, and biofunctionalization of the nanoparticles has been demonstrated by the attachment of a peptide previously shown to inhibit the assembly of anthrax toxin. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.