Publications [#322621] of Ashutosh Chilkoti

Papers Published

1. Nawroth, JF; McDaniel, JR; Chilkoti, A; Jordan, R; Luxenhofer, R, Maleimide-Functionalized Poly(2-Oxazoline)s and Their Conjugation to Elastin-Like Polypeptides., Macromolecular bioscience, vol. 16 no. 3 (March, 2016), pp. 322-333 [doi]
   (last updated on 2026/01/15)

   Abstract:
   The design of drug delivery systems capable of efficiently delivering poorly soluble drugs to target sites still remains a major challenge. Such materials require several different functionalities; typically, these materials should be biodegradable and nontoxic, nonimmunogenic, responsive to their environment, and soluble in aqueous solution while retaining the ability to solubilize hydrophobic drugs. Here, a polypeptide-polymer hybrid of elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) and poly(2-oxazoline)s (POx) is reported. This paper describes the chemical synthesis, physical characteristics, and drug loading potential of these novel hybrid macromolecules. A novel method is introduced for terminal functionalization of POx with protected maleimide moieties. Following recovery of the maleimide group via a retro Diels-Alder reaction, the consecutive Michael addition of thiol-functionalized ELPs yields the desired protein-polymer conjugate. These conjugates form nanoparticles in aqueous solution capable of solubilizing the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel with up to 8 wt% loading.