Polymer and polymer-hybrid nanoparticles – synthetic strategies, self-assembly and potential biomedical applications
Lecturers: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivaylo Dimitrov Tel. (02) 979 3628 Е-mail:
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Prof. DSc Stanislav Rangelov Tel. (02) 979 2293 Е-mail:
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Course duration: 30 hours
Annotation: The course is intended for PhD students, early stage scientists, and post-docs in the field of polymers and material science. Considering the interdisciplinary character of the polymer and polymer-hybrid nanoparticles and their numerous biomedical applications, it may attract the interest of PhD students early stage scientists, and post-docs in the fields of biology, medicine, and pharmacy. The course is composed of two modules. The first module considers the contemporary methods for synthesis of polymers with desired composition, chain architecture, and functionality. The classic approaches for controlled polymer synthesis – the living anionic and cationic polymerizations – are presented. A special attention is given to the most recent achievements in the field of controlled radical polymerization as well as “click” reactions and their applications for obtaining of complex macromolecular architectures. The second module considers the basic principles of the self-association of polymers in selective solvents (particularly, in water), formation of micellar and non-micellar structures, control over their size, morphology, functionality, and stimuli-responsiveness upon changes in the environment. Examples of various polymer and polymer-hybrid nanostructures, potential biomedical applications for delivery and controlled release of drugs, genetic material, and proteins and as carriers of diagnostic agents are shown and discussed as well.