Responsive polymer phase transitions, binding

The concept of using responsive polymer phase transitions to switch binding interactions with DNA was first explored by Hennink and co-workers, who showed that a cationic polymer of N,N (2-dimethylamino)-ethyhnethacrylate (DMAEMA) and related copolymers were able to bind and transfect DNA effectively. Copolymerisation of DMAEMA with NIP Am yielded polymers that complexed with DNA at room temperatore but did not exhibit variations of binding with polymer LCST response. This group observed that low... 

If the liposomes in question are treated with the polymer after their formation, the polymer binds only to the outer surface of the liposomes. If the liposomes are formed from a lipid-polymer mixture, on the other hand, the polymer is present on both sides of the liposome membrane. Such liposomes respond even faster to temperature changes. The change of the liposome surface properties caused by the phase transition of stimulus-responsive polymers in also known to affect their interaction with cells. The phenomenon has been used in an attempt to develop a targeted drug delivery system. Liposomes modified with a pH-sensitive polymer, namely succinylated poly(glycidol), were shown to deliver the dye cacein more efficiently into cultured monkey kidney cells than nonmodified liposomes. ... 

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