Cationic and Charge-Shifting Copolymers for Biomaterials Applications
Harald
Stöver
Professor,
Department
of
Chemistry
and
Chemical
Biology
McMaster
University
Monday,
July
22,
2019
1:30
p.m.
C2-361
(Reading
Room)
Abstract:
This talk will describe several types of acrylic copolymers developed for potential application in gene transfection and therapeutic cell encapsulation. Some of these poses charge-shifting properties that convert initially highly cation copolymers into neutral and even net anionic systems. In other examples we are exploring the use of polyampholytes and copolymers of cationic monomers with betaines to balance electrostatic complexation with reduced charge density in order to achieve better cell compatibility. Finally we are exploring use and properties of lightly crosslinked microgels as possible cell mimetics in biological applications.