Polymer synthesis - For the living there is hope

A polymerization is 'living' if monomers are attached one by one to each growing polymer chain until the supply is exhausted — that is, there is no termination or chain transfer. A new living polymerization of amino-acid-based polymers should yield materials with precisely controlled structures, and with unprecedented combinations of physical properties. The prospects for application in biomedical engineering, drug delivery and selective separations appear to be excellent.