Dendrimer-multifunctional protein

Multiple weak interactions allow small pharmaceutically active molecules to be trapped in polymeric dendrimers. Over time the molecules slowly break free and are released in a controlled manner to the sites where they are required. The formation of dendrimer prodrugs allows for covalent attachment of many copies of a drug to a single dendrimer. Under predetermined conditions, such as pH or oxygen content, the bonds break and the drug is released in a concentrated burst. Weak interactions can also be harmful. The entanglement of small amyloid proteins appears to be responsible for the formation of plaques associated with Alzheimer s disease. The presence of transition metals poses an added complication as they have been implicated in protein crosslinking. A multifunctional molecule that can both disrupt... 

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