Thermoresponsive poly(2-oxazoline)s, polypeptoids, and polypeptides

Natural systems are governed by adaptive and responsive behavior to survive, which is mostly driven by conformational changes and catalytic actions of proteins. These perfectly defined polyamide structures take on defined folded structures to get very sophisticated response behavior. Inspired by such systems, polymer scientists have developed a wide range of synthetic responsive polymer materials that respond to a wide range of stimuli (pH, temperature, ionic strength, molecules, etc.) with various changes in the polymer materials, including phase transition, color change, and shape transformation. Thermoresponsive synthetic polymers that undergo a temperature induced solubility phase transition in aqueous solutions have received significant interest as mild temperature changes provide an easy way to trigger the solubility. Furthermore, such systems are highly appealing for development of drug delivery systems if the transition temperature is close to body temperature, allowing to prepare formulations that are soluble at room temperature and gel upon injection,