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 and moiety interact through noncovalent binding. 
     
     
         3 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 1  further comprising the moiety. 
     
     
         4 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 1  further comprising the moiety, wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule. 
     
     
         5 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 1  further comprising the moiety, wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule that is a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         6 . 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, and a functional group. 
     
     
         7 . A biomimetic polymer network formed by a process 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. 
     
     
         8 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 7  wherein the mixture comprises a prepolymerization complex, the prepolymerization complex comprising a moiety for which a molecular imprint is to be produced. 
     
     
         9 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 7  wherein the moiety is chosen from one or more of, a lipid, a carbohydrate, a peptide, and a functional group. 
     
     
         10 . The biomimetic polymer network of  claim 7  wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule that is a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         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 11  wherein the moiety is chosen from one or more of a lipid, a carbohydrate, a peptide, and a functional group. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule that is a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         15 . 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.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the moiety is conjugated to a molecule that is a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the moiety is chosen from one or more of, a lipid, a carbohydrate, a peptide, and a functional group. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the therapeutic agent is toxic. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a small molecule.