International Business Machines Corporation

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

Zhi Xiang Voo

James L Hedrick

Yi Yan Yang

Nathaniel H Park

Victoria A Piunova

Willy Chin

Rudy J Wojtecki

Mareva B Fevre

Shrinivas Venkataraman

Noah F Fine Nathel

Jeremy Tan

Dylan J Boday

Jeannette M Garcia

Robert J Ono

Victor W L Ng

Ashlynn Lingzhi Lee

Eunice Leong Jiayu

Techniques regarding the transportation of molecular cargo across the BBB are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a chemical compound to facilitate molecular encapsulation of the molecular cargo. The chemical compound can comprise a diblock copolymer having a molecular backbone comprising a polycarbonate structure and a polyethylene glycol structure. Also, the polycarbonate structure can be functionalized with boronic acid.

Biodegradable functional polycarbonate nanoparticle carries for delivering molecular cargo

Compositions and methods regarding antimicrobial guanidinium macromolecules with one or more targeting moieties for selectively targeting bacteria are provided. According to an embodiment, an antimicrobial macromolecule is provided that comprises a polymer backbone and one or more guanidinium moieties that extend from the polymer backbone. The antimicrobial macromolecule further comprises a targeting moiety that extends from the polymer backbone. The targeting moiety can comprise a substance favored for consumption by bacteria, such as a monosaccharide.

Antimicrobial guanidinium macromolecules with bacteria targeting moieties

Techniques regarding star polymers with enhanced antimicrobial functionality are provided. For example, a polymer is provided that can comprise a core that can have a singlet oxygen generator and that can generate a singlet oxygen species upon irradiation with light. The polymer can also comprise a plurality of polycarbonate arms covalently bonded to the core. The plurality of polycarbonate arms can be degradable and can comprise a cation. Further, the plurality of polycarbonate arms can have antimicrobial functionality.

Star polymers with enhanced antimicrobial activity in response to light

The subject matter of this invention relates to hydrogel compositions and, more particularly, to hydrogel compositions comprising block copolymers (BCPs) capable of self-assembly into nanoparticles for the delivery and controlled release of therapeutic cargos.

Biodegradable hydrogel and methods for use thereof

The subject disclosure is directed to techniques for enhancing the selectivity and efficacy of therapeutic polymers against a broad spectrum of pathogens and cancer cell lines. According to an embodiment, a method is provided that comprises forming a therapeutic polymer based on polymerization of a plurality of therapeutic monomers, wherein the therapeutic polymer provides a therapeutic functionality. The method further comprises attaching biotin to the therapeutic polymer, resulting in a biotin-functionalized therapeutic polymer, wherein the biotin-functionalized therapeutic polymer provides greater therapeutic efficacy relative to the therapeutic polymer.

Techniques for enhancing the selectivity and efficacy of antimicrobial and anticancer polymer agents

The present disclosure relates to polythioaminals with applications as carriers or delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents or other small molecule cargo. Polythioaminal block copolymer coupled to a therapeutic agent is a polymer-therapeutic conjugate that exhibits higher stability and longer life time in aqueous environments. The polythioaminal block copolymer coupled to a therapeutic agent can be synthesized by reacting hexahydrotriazines with a hydrophobic block precursor, a hydrophilic block precursor, a particle stabilizing segment precursor, and a cargo, such as a therapeutic agent, in a one pot synthesis. The ease of synthesizing the resulting polythioaminal block copolymer coupled to the therapeutic agent while offering the extended stability and polymer life time in aqueous environments make the polythioaminal block copolymer particularly attractive for therapeutic carriers.

Preparation of robust polythioaminal carriers

Eight-membered ring cyclic carbonates having an oxygen or an acylated nitrogen at position 6 were prepared by reaction of precursor diols with ethyl chloroformate. The cyclic carbonates undergo organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization. In one instance, the initial polymer formed comprises a carbonate repeat unit having a Boc-protected nitrogen in the polymer backbone. Deprotecting the nitrogen with acid forms a cationic carbonate repeat unit having a positive charged secondary ammonium nitrogen in the polymer backbone.

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Singapore, Singapore

Zhi Xiang Voo