Biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles for drug/DNA delivery using biologically friendly polymerisation processes

This thesis explores the synthesis of several different polymeric nanostructures using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation in both aqueous and ethanolic solutions.<br><br>A preface entailing an abstract, contents, common abbreviations and details of where this work has been presented is included.<br><br>Chapter 1 provides an introduction to living polymer techniques with an emphasis on RAFT polymerisation as well as the biomedical applications of polymer nanoparticles synthesised via RAFT.<br><br>Chapter 2 explores the synthesis of well-defined cross-linked star polymer model networks (CSPMNs) equipped with both acid-labile and non-degradable cores to study potential drug release in acidic conditions.

The synthesis of the neutral star polymer precursors to the CSPMNs are also documented. This chapter includes the encapsulation and release of rhodamine B dye from an acid-labile CSPMN.<br><br>Chapter 3 further investigates the synthesis of CSPMNs but incorporates a zwitterionic, phospholipid-like monomer alongside a cationic monomer to examine the effect of monomer composition on cell-internalisation properties.<br><br>Chapter 4 highlights the formation of amphiphilic benzaldehyde-functionalised polymer nanoparticles using polymerisation induced self-assembly (PISA) alongside RAFT in aqueous conditions.