Self-assembly of poly(ethylene glycol)-based block copolymers for biomedical applications

Nanostructure fabrication from block copolymers is discussed in this review paper. Particularly, novel approaches for the construction of functionaliz ed poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) layers on surfaces were focused to attain th e specific adsorption of a target protein through PEG-conjugated ligands wi th a minimal non-specific adsorption of other proteins. Furthermore, surfac e organization of block copolymer micelles with cross-linking cores was des cribed from the standpoint of preparation of a new functional surface-coati ng with a unique macromolecular architecture. The micelle-attached surface and the thin hydrogel layer made by layered micelles exhibited non-fouling properties and worked as a reservoir for hydrophobic reagents. These PEG-fu nctionalized surface in brush form or in micelle form can be used in divers e fields of medicine and biology to construct high-performance medical devi ces including scaffolds for tissue engineering and matrices for drug delive ry systems. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.