Molecularly Programmable Polymeric Transformers
Prof. Roey Amir
Nature is full of systems, ranging from proteins and cells to entire organisms, that can reorganize their structure and function in response to multiple signals. Inspired by these capabilities, chemists have developed stimuli-responsive materials that can be molecularly programmed to mimic such transformations, although most reported systems remain limited to simple transitions between two states.
In this talk, I will present how, to gain a deeper understanding of how enzymes can serve as cues for triggering polymeric responses, our group developed a modular macromolecular strategy in which the architecture and hydrophobicity of dendritic amphiphiles can be precisely tuned to control their kinetic stability and reactivity. This design enables polymeric formulations to undergo programmed, sequential mesophase transitions, transforming their structures in response to well-defined enzymatic (and non-enzymatic) triggers. By co-assembling diblock and triblock amphiphiles with different exchange dynamics, a single enzymatic stimulus can induce a cascade of transformations, from micelles into hydrogels that can ultimately transform into soluble polymers.
These molecularly programmable polymeric transformers demonstrate how organic synthesis enables control of polymer architecture and hydrophobicity to achieve predictable, sequence-dependent transitions that resemble biological feedback processes, paving the way for smart delivery systems, adaptive coatings, and next-generation responsive materials.