Key molecules in biological systems are polymers: proteins, polysaccharides and the nucleic acids. Their long chain behaviour is a crucial contributing factor to their function in living systems. The fundamental motif of cells – membranes that separate space into multicompartments – has an analogy with polymeric amphiphiles, their slow dynamics allowing access to both kinetic insights and tougher membranes. There is increasing dialogue between the different communities of polymer scientists and biologists/clinicians, reflecting the growing awareness that only by bringing together interdisciplinary ideas will fast progress be made. The meeting will aim to focus on two main strands: the physical chemistry of macromolecules as common ground between biology and polymer science; and the problems associated with biocompatibility and biodegradability of polymers, particularly with regard to their role as therapeutic delivery vehicles. Themes of the meeting will include: Cells and membranes Self assembly processes, Signalling pathways, Molecular motors, Dynamics, Drug delivery, Tissue scaffolds, Novel biomaterials.
Additional information
Weight
0.9 kg
Product Properties
Year of Publication
2008
Table of Contents
Session 1: Cell Interactions Phase separation of equilibrium polymers of proteins in living cells Internal friction of polypeptide chains at high stretch Quantifying the relation between bond number and myoblast proliferation Thermo-reversible protein fibrillar hydrogels as cell scaffolds The polymer physics and chemistry of microbial cell attachment and adhesion Session 2: Membranes and Walls Leuko-polymersomes Non-cytotoxic polymer vesicles for rapid and efficient intracellular delivery Mixed protein-polysaccharide interfacial layers: A self consistent field calculation study Calcium phosphate mineralization beneath monolayers of poly(n-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymers Probing (macro)molecular transport through cell walls Session 3:Proteins and Polysaccharides Fibronectin in aging extracellular matrix fibrils is progressively unfolded by cells and elicits an enhanced rigidity response Correlations between structure, material properties and bioproperties in self-assembled beta-hairpin peptide hydrogels Common motifs in protein self-assembly Cellulose fibrils direct plant organ movements Molecular and crystal deformation of cellulose: uniform strain or uniform stress? Protein crystallization: universal thermodynamic vs specific aspects of PEG Session 4: Natural and Synthetic Polymers Incorporating stimulus-responsive character into filamentous virus assemblies The viscoelasticity of self-assembled proteoglycan combs Synthesis of well-defined glycopolymers and some studies of their aqueous solution behaviour Spontaneous flow of active polar gels in undulated channels Effect of confinement on properties of stiff biological macromolecules Marine biopolymer self-assembly: implications for carbon cycling in the ocean
Author
Discussions
ISBN/ISSN
9780854041206
Binding
Hardback
Edition
1
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
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