Polymer Network Compositions And Associated Methods

Abstract

Biomimetic polymer networks comprising a heteropolymer network having a cavity, the cavity having a selective affinity for a moiety, methods for making biomimetic polymer networks, and methods for using biomimetic polymer networks.

1 . A biomimetic polymer network comprising a heteropolymer network having a cavity, the cavity having a selective affinity for a moiety.  
   
   
       2 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 1  wherein the cavity has a selective affinity for two or more moieties, the moieties recognized concurrently or sequentially.  
   
   
       3 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 1  wherein the cavity and moiety interact through noncovalent binding.  
   
   
       4 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 1  further comprising the moiety.  
   
   
       5 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 1  further comprising the moiety, wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule.  
   
   
       6 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 1  further comprising the moiety, wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule that is a therapeutic agent.  
   
   
       7 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 1  further comprising the moiety, wherein the moiety is chosen from one or more of a sugar, a lipid, a carbohydrate, a peptide, a protein, a glycoprotein, a proteoglycan, a lipoprotein, an organic molecule, a small molecule, and a functional group.  
   
   
       8 . A biomimetic polymer network formed by a process comprising polymerizing a mixture comprising monomers and crosslinkers in the presence of a moiety or a target molecule or both for which a molecular imprint is to be produced, thereby forming a matrix comprising an imprint of the moiety or target molecule or both, and separating the moiety from the matrix.  
   
   
       9 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 8  wherein the mixture comprises a prepolymerization complex, the prepolymerization complex comprising a moiety for which a molecular imprint is to be produced.  
   
   
       10 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 8  wherein the moiety is chosen from one or more of a sugar, a lipid, a carbohydrate, a peptide, a protein, a glycoprotein, a proteoglycan, a lipoprotein, an organic molecule, a small molecule, and a functional group.  
   
   
       11 . A method for forming a biomimetic polymer network comprising polymerizing a mixture comprising monomers and crosslinkers in the presence of a moiety for which a molecular imprint is to be produced, thereby forming a matrix comprising an imprint of the molecule; and separating the moiety from the matrix.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the mixture comprises a prepolymerization complex, the prepolymerization complex comprising a moiety for which a molecular imprint is to be produced.  
   
   
       13 . The method of claim  110  wherein the biomimetic polymer network formed by a process of reaction injection molding or casting or extruding  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the moiety is chosen from one or more of a sugar, a lipid, a carbohydrate, a peptide, a protein, a glycoprotein, a proteoglycan, a lipoprotein, an organic molecule, a small molecule, and a functional group.  
   
   
       15 . A biomimetic polymer network formed by a process of reaction injection molding or casting or extruding a polymerizing mixture comprising monomers, crosslinkers, and one or more moieties, the crosslinkers added at times such that the solidification and croslinking will occur during the molding or casting or extruding; allowing a matrix to form which has a plurality of molecular imprints; and separating the moiety from the matrix.  
   
   
       16 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 15  wherein the moiety is chosen from one or more of a sugar, a lipid, a carbohydrate, a peptide, a protein, a glycoprotein, a proteoglycan, a lipoprotein, an organic molecule, a small molecule, and a functional group.  
   
   
       17 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 15  wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule that is a therapeutic agent.  
   
   
       18 . A method for delivering a molecule comprising providing a biomimetic polymer network comprising a heteropolymer network having a cavity, the cavity having a selective affinity for a moiety; loading the biomimetic polymer network with a molecule by allowing a moiety present on the molecule to interact with the cavity; delivering the biomimetic polymer network to a desired location; and providing conditions that reduce the affinity of the cavity for the moiety a sufficient amount to release the molecule.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the moiety is chosen from one or more of a sugar, a lipid, a carbohydrate, a peptide, a protein, a glycoprotein, a proteoglycan, a lipoprotein, an organic molecule, a small molecule, and a functional group.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule that is a therapeutic agent.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule that is a toxic therapeutic agent.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule that is a small molecule therapeutic agent.