Peptide/Protein−Synthetic Polymer Conjugates:<i>Quo Vadis</i>

Abstract

Peptide/protein−synthetic polymer conjugates, which covalently combine one or more copies of a peptide sequence or protein with one or more synthetic polymer elements, offer unique possibilities to integrate the properties and functions of bio(macro)molecules and synthetic polymers in a single hybrid material. This article provides a status report of the field of peptide/protein−synthetic polymer conjugates. First, the main synthetic strategies for the preparation of peptide/protein−synthetic polymer conjugates will be discussed. In the last two sections, selected properties and applications of peptide−synthetic polymer conjugates and protein−synthetic polymer conjugates will be highlighted.