Evaluation of a new biocompatible poly(N-(morpholino ethyl methacrylate)-based copolymer for the delivery of ruthenium oligonucleotides, targeting HPV16 E6 oncogene

in Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology (2013), 9

This study investigates the use of a new biocompatible block copolymer poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate-N-(morpholino)ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA-b-PMEMA) for the delivery of a particular ... [more ▼]

This study investigates the use of a new biocompatible block copolymer poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate-N-(morpholino)ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA-b-PMEMA) for the delivery of a particular antisense oligonucleotide targeting E6 gene from human papilloma virus. This antisense oligonucleotide was derivatized with a polyazaaromatic RuII complex which, under visible illumination, is able to produce an irreversible crosslink with the complementary targeted sequence. The purpose of this study is to determine whether by the use of a suitable transfection agent, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the antisense oligonucleotide targeting E6 gene, named Ru-P-4. In a recent study, we showed that Oligofectamine® transfected Ru-P-4 antisense oligonucleotide failed to inhibit efficiently the growth of cervical cancer cell line SiHa, contrarily to the Ru-P-6 antisense oligonucleotide, another sequence also targeting the E6 gene. The ability of PDMAEMA-b-PMEMA to form polyplexes with optimal physicochemical characteristics was investigated first. Then the ability of the PDMAEMA-b-PMEMA/Ru-P-4 antisense oligonucleotide polyplexes to transfect two keratinocyte cell lines (SiHa and HaCat) and the capacity of polyplexes to inhibit HPV16 + cervical cancer cell growth was evaluated. PDMAEMA-b-PMEMA base polyplexes at the optimal molar ratio of polymer nitrogen atoms to DNA phosphates (N/P), were able to deliver Ru-P-4 antisense oligonucleotide and to induce a higher growth inhibition in human cervical cancer SiHa cells, compared to other formulations based on Oligofectamine®. [less ▲]

Assessment of new biocompatible Poly(N-(morpholino)ethyl methacrylate)-based copolymers by transfection of immortalized keratinoc

in Drug Delivery (2012), 16(2), 102-111

Thermoreversibly crosslinked poly(ε-caprolactone) as recyclable shape-memory polymer network

in Macromolecular Rapid Communications (2011), 32(16), 1264-1269

A new concept to build shape memory polymers (SMP) combining outstanding fixity and recovery ratios (both above 99% after only one training cycle) typical of chemically crosslinked SMPs with ... [more ▼]

A new concept to build shape memory polymers (SMP) combining outstanding fixity and recovery ratios (both above 99% after only one training cycle) typical of chemically crosslinked SMPs with reprocessability restricted to physically crosslinked SMPs is demonstrated by covalently bonding, through thermoreversible Diels–Alder (DA) adducts, star-shaped poly(epsilon-caprolactones) (PCL) end-functionalized by furan and maleimide moieties. A PCL network is easily prepared by melt-blending complementary end-functional star polymers in retro DA regime, then by curing at lower temperature to favour the DA cycloaddition. Such covalent network can be reprocessed when heated again at the retro DA temperature. The resulting SMP shows still excellent shape memory properties attesting for its good recyclability. [less ▲]

Synthesis and characterization of reversibly cross-linked shape memory materials

Poster (2011, April 29)

Oxidative degradations of oxodegradable LDPE enhanced with thermoplastic pea starch: thermo-mechanical properties, morphology, and UV-ageing studies

in Journal of Applied Polymer Science (2011), 122(1), 489496

The abiotic UV-degradation behavior of oxodegradable LDPE was investigated in the presence of thermoplastic pea starch (TPPS) in this study. Oxodegradable LDPE was first melt-blended with thermoplastic ... [more ▼]

The abiotic UV-degradation behavior of oxodegradable LDPE was investigated in the presence of thermoplastic pea starch (TPPS) in this study. Oxodegradable LDPE was first melt-blended with thermoplastic pea starch (TPPS) using an internal mixing chamber to enhance the abiotic oxidative degradation of oxodegradable LDPE. Because of their different affinity, maleated polyethylene was added as compatibilizer. Tensile properties, thermal properties, and morphology of resulting melt-blends were determined at different content in TPPS. High content in TPPS (40 wt %) could be readily added to oxodegradable LDPE without affecting the tensile properties of resulting melt-blends. UV-ageing studies on compatibilized TPPS/oxodegradable LDPE melt-blends were carried out by Attenuated Total Reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Dynamic Thermomechanical Analyses (DMTA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) under abiotic conditions. These results suggested a synergistic effect on the UV-ageing of TPPS-based melt-blends provided by both components during the first stage of UV-irradiation. [less ▲]

Supercritical carbon dioxide as a powerful medium for layered silicate organomodification and new polymer/clay masterbatches preparation

Poster (2010, November 29)

New fluorinated surfactants for nanogels preparation in supercritical CO2

Poster (2010, November 29)

Cobalt mediated radical coupling (CMRC) : an unusual route to midchain-functionalized symmetrical macromolecules

in Chemistry : A European Journal (2010), 16(5), 1799-1811

Cobalt-mediated radical coupling (CMRC) is a straightforward approach to the synthesis of symmetrical macromolecules that relies on the addition of 1,3-diene compounds onto polymer precursors preformed by ... [more ▼]

Cobalt-mediated radical coupling (CMRC) is a straightforward approach to the synthesis of symmetrical macromolecules that relies on the addition of 1,3-diene compounds onto polymer precursors preformed by cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP). Mechanistic features that make this process so efficient for radical polymer coupling are reported here. The mechanism was established on the basis of NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-MS analyses of the coupling product and corroborated by DFT calculations. A key feature of CMRC is the preferential insertion of two diene units in the middle of the chain of the coupling product mainly according to a trans-1,4-addition pathway. The large tolerance of CMRC towards the diene structure is demonstrated and the impact of this new coupling method on macromolecular engineering is discussed, especially for midchain functionalization of polymers. It is worth noting that the interest in CMRC goes beyond the field of polymer chemistry, since it constitutes a novel carbon-carbon bond formation method that could be applied to small organic molecules. [less ▲]

Cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) and coupling reaction (CMRC): mechanistic advances ans synthetic opportunities

Poster (2009, December 14)

New fluorinated surfactants for nanogels preparation

Conference (2009, June 18)

A series of novel fluorinated amphiphilic stabilizers of different architecture (diblock, grafted, or palm tree copolymers) were successfully prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer ... [more ▼]

A series of novel fluorinated amphiphilic stabilizers of different architecture (diblock, grafted, or palm tree copolymers) were successfully prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer and used as stabilizers for the dispersion polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in fluorinated solvent, namely alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene (TFT). The effect of the amount and the architecture of the copolymer on the size and the stabilization of the particles was studied. Whatever the experimental conditions, scanning electron microscopy showed the formation of submicronic (typically about 300 nm) spherical particles, with a narrow size distribution. The principal difference emerges from the concentration of surfactant. Indeed, at higher copolymer concentration, smaller and less aggregated particles were produced. These results were confirmed by dynamic light scattering but these measurements also revealed the presence of larger aggregates (1,5 micrometer). Furthermore, the surfactant properties of the copolymers were investigated by measuring the interfacial tension at the H2O/TFT interface, and the results were correlated to their stabilizing efficiency in the dispersion polymerization of HEMA. [less ▲]