PhD defence

Multifunctional Polypept(o)ide Miktoarm Star Polymers for Advanced Drug Delivery

• D.T. Schwiertz

Date

Thursday 6 February 2025

Time

11:30 - 12:30 hour

Address

Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden

Supervisor(s)

• Prof.dr. M. Barz
• dr. J. Bussmann

Summary

With an emphasis on developing novel miktoarm star polymers termed PeptoMiktoStars, this thesis leverages asymmetric polymeric polypept(o)ide frameworks to advance their effectiveness in delivering hydrophobic drugs and nucleic acids. For this purpose, multiple synthetic pathways have been designed utilizing controlled living polymerization techniques paired with cutting-edge multivalent initiators and orthogonal protecting group strategies, offering flexibility in modifying both the functional core and hydrophilic polymer corona. Precise control over the size and additional physicochemical properties of the resulting core-shell nanoparticles is facilitated by finely adjusting the desired molecular weights, different degrees of branching, and chemical nature of the respective polymer arms. The insights gained from this research could propel forward the promising class of miktoarm star polymers by showcasing their superiority over linear alternatives in confronting therapeutic hurdles.

PhD dissertations

Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.

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