Immobilized glycopolymers: Synthesis, methods and applications

Glycopolymers have been in the focus of intensive research due to their ability to mimic biological functions in recognition processes by interaction with carbohydrate binding proteins, so called lectins. For the same reason, the synthesis of glycosylated surfaces has evolved as a versatile route toward bioresponsive systems which can be used in protein chromatography. Also the detection of pathogens represents an application field of such glycosurfaces. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the different ways glycopolymers can be immobilized onto solid supports, thereby only covering the immobilization of synthetic glycopolymers. The emphasis was put on the chemical strategy for the immobilization step, although the synthesis of the glycopolymers is also explained, as well as selected analysis and application aspects of the resulting glycosylated surfaces.