Conjugates of stimuli-responsive polymers and proteins

This chapter focuses on the synthesis and applications of covalent conjugates of proteins and stimuli-responsive or “smart” polymers. Smart polymer-drug conjugates are included only when the drug is a protein. The conjugation of biotinylated smart polymers to streptavidin is included, as is the use of streptavidin to link a biotinylated protein and a biotinylated smart polymer. Proteins that are conjugated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), or “PEGylated” proteins, are not included in this chapter since PEG is not utilized as a smart polymer in such conjugates. Smart polymer-protein conjugates immobilized on solid surfaces or within hydrogels are also not included, unless they represent the “phase-separated state” of the reversible soluble-insoluble phases of the conjugate.