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Abstract
The utility of polymeric micelles formed through the multimolecular assembly of block
copolymer was comprehensively described as novel core-shell typed colloidal carriers
for drug and gene targeting. Particularly, novel approaches for the formation of functionalized
poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) layers as hydrophilic outer shell were focused to attain
receptor-mediated drug and gene delivery through PEG-conjugated ligands with a minimal
non-specific interaction with other proteins. Surface organization of block copolymer
micelles with cross-linking core was also described from a standpoint of the preparation
of a new functional surface-coating with a unique macromolecular architecture. The
micelle-attached surface and the thin hydrogel layer made by layered micelles exhibited
nonfouling properties and worked as the reservoir for hydrophobic reagents. Furthermore,
the potential utility of multimolecular assembly derived from heterobifunctional PEGs
and block copolymers were explored to systematically modify the properties of metal
and semiconductor nanostructures by controlling their structure and their surface
properties, making them extremely attractive for use in biological and biomedical
applications.