Abstract: Antimicrobial cationic polycarbonates and polyurethanes have been prepared comprising one or more pendent guanidinium and/or isothiouronium groups. Additionally, antimicrobial particles were prepared having a silica core linked to surface groups comprising a guanidinium and/or isothiouronium group. The cationic polymers and cationic particles can be potent antimicrobial agents against Gram-negative microbes, Gram-positive microbes, and/or fungi.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of making an antifouling and bactericidal coating with tailorable surface topology. The method includes depositing a layer of branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) and diamino-functionalized poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) in a mixture of water and organic solvent on a substrate to form a layer of BPEI/PPO. The method includes depositing a layer of glyoxal in a water-containing solution on the layer of BPEI/PPO. The method further includes curing the layer of BPEI/PPO and layer of glyoxal to form a homogenous, glyoxal crosslinked BPEI/PPO coating, where the curing induces local precipitation and alteration of the glyoxal crosslinked BPEI/PPO coating to provide a textured surface.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a method of making an antifouling coating includes forming a polythioaminal polymer by reacting a fluorinated primary amine with an aldehyde to form an intermediate imine, and then reacting the intermediate imine with a dithiol. The method further includes depositing the polythioaminal on a substrate, and increasing a temperature of the polythioaminal deposited on the substrate to crosslink the polythioaminal and increase a contact angle of the substrate with crosslinked polythioaminal.

Abstract: Techniques regarding ionene compositions with antimicrobial functionality are provided. For example, one or more embodiments can comprise a monomer, which can comprise a single ionene unit. The single ionene unit can comprise a cation distributed along a molecular backbone. Also, a hydrophobic functional group can be covalently bonded to the molecular backbone, and the single ionene unit can have antimicrobial functionality.

Abstract: Techniques regarding chemical compounds with antimicrobial functionality are provided. For example, one or more embodiments describe herein can comprise a monomer that can comprise a molecular backbone. The molecular backbone can comprise a bis(urea)guanidinium structure covalently bonded to a functional group, which can comprise a radical. Also, the monomer can have supramolecular assembly functionality.

Abstract: Techniques regarding polymers with antimicrobial functionality are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can regard a polymer, which can comprise a repeating ionene unit. The repeating ionene unit can comprise a cation distributed along a degradable backbone. The degradable backbone can comprise a terephthalamide structure. Further, the repeating ionene unit can have antimicrobial functionality.

Abstract: Polythioaminal polymers are made from hexahydrotriazine precursors and dithiol precursors. The precursors are blended together and subjected to mild heating to make the polymers. The polymers have the general structure wherein each R1 is independently an organic or hetero-organic group, each R2 is independently a substituent having molecular weight no more than about 120 Daltons, X and Z are each a sulfur-bonded species, at least one of X and Z is not hydrogen, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. X and Z may be hydrogen or a functional group, such as a thiol-reactive group. The reactive thiol groups of the polythioaminal may be used to attach thiol-reactive end capping species. By using water soluble or water degradable dithiols, such as polyether dithiols, water soluble polythioaminals may be made. Some such polymers may be used to deliver therapeutics with non-toxic aqueous degradation products.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of making an antifouling and bactericidal coating with tailorable surface topology. The method includes depositing a layer of branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) and diamino-functionalized poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) in a mixture of water and organic solvent on a substrate to form a layer of BPEI/PPO. The method includes depositing a layer of glyoxal in a water-containing solution on the layer of BPEI/PPO. The method further includes curing the layer of BPEI/PPO and layer of glyoxal to form a homogenous, glyoxal crosslinked BPEI/PPO coating, where the curing induces local precipitation and alteration of the glyoxal crosslinked BPEI/PPO coating to provide a textured surface.

Abstract: Techniques regarding ionene and/or polyionene compositions with antimicrobial functionality and enhanced hydrophilicity are provided. For example, one or more embodiments can regard a chemical compound that can comprise an ionene unit, which can comprise a cation distributed along a degradable backbone. The degradable backbone can comprise a terephthalamide structure. The ionene unit can have antimicrobial functionality. Further, the chemical compound can comprise a hydrophilic functional group covalently bonded to the ionene unit. Also, the chemical compound can have carbohydrate mimetic functionality.

Abstract: Techniques regarding ionene and/or polyionene compositions with antimicrobial functionalities are provided. For example, one or more embodiments can comprise a chemical compound, which can comprise an ionene unit. The ionene unit can comprise a cation distributed along a degradable backbone. The degradable backbone can comprise a norspermidine structure having a carbonyl group. Also, the ionene unit can have antimicrobial functionality.

Abstract: The subject matter of this invention relates to block copolymers (BCPs) and, more particularly, to block copolymers capable of self-assembly into nanoparticles for the delivery of hydrophobic cargos. The BCPs include a hydrophobic block that contains a thioether functional group that is susceptible to oxidation, transforming the solubility of the block from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, thereby releasing the hydrophobic cargo of the nanoparticle.

Abstract: Techniques regarding amine monomers that can form ionene compositions with antimicrobial functionality are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a monomer, which can comprise a molecular backbone. The molecular backbone can comprise a norspermidine structure. The norspermidine structure can comprise a tertiary amino group. Also, the tertiary amino group can comprise a functional group, and an amino group of the norspermidine structure can be capable of being ionized.

Abstract: The present invention mainly relates to a polymer for delivery of biologically active materials, a complex and a method of synthesis thereof. The polymer comprises a poly(ethylene imine) and at least one monomer, each monomer comprising a modified sugar moiety, preferably galactose, comprising a sulphur atom or a nitrogen atom and a chemical moiety comprising a terminal epoxide for linking the polyethylene imine to the monomer, wherein the sulphur atom or the nitrogen atom links the modified sugar moiety to the chemical moiety. The biologically active material is preferably a gene, siRNA, mRNA or plasmid DNA. Further disclosed is the medical use of said complex in treating a disease caused by a genetic disorder, for example cancer.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed to techniques for enhancing the selectivity and efficacy of therapeutic polymers against a broad spectrum of pathogens and cancer cell lines. According to an embodiment, a method is provided that comprises forming a therapeutic polymer based on polymerization of a plurality of therapeutic monomers, wherein the therapeutic polymer provides a therapeutic functionality. The method further comprises attaching biotin to the therapeutic polymer, resulting in a biotin-functionalized therapeutic polymer, wherein the biotin-functionalized therapeutic polymer provides greater therapeutic efficacy relative to the therapeutic polymer.

Abstract: Techniques regarding the transportation of molecular cargo across the BBB are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a chemical compound to facilitate molecular encapsulation of the molecular cargo. The chemical compound can comprise a diblock copolymer having a molecular backbone comprising a polycarbonate structure and a polyethylene glycol structure. Also, the polycarbonate structure can be functionalized with boronic acid.

Abstract: The subject matter of this invention relates to hydrogel compositions and, more particularly, to hydrogel compositions comprising block copolymers (BCPs) capable of self-assembly into nanoparticles for the delivery and controlled release of therapeutic cargos.

Abstract: Techniques regarding polymers with antimicrobial functionality are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can regard a polymer, which can comprise a repeating ionene unit. The repeating ionene unit can comprise a cation distributed along a degradable backbone. The degradable backbone can comprise a terephthalamide structure. Further, the repeating ionene unit can have antimicrobial functionality.

Abstract: Techniques regarding star polymers with enhanced antimicrobial functionality are provided. For example, a polymer is provided that can comprise a core that can have a singlet oxygen generator and that can generate a singlet oxygen species upon irradiation with light. The polymer can also comprise a plurality of polycarbonate arms covalently bonded to the core. The plurality of polycarbonate arms can be degradable and can comprise a cation. Further, the plurality of polycarbonate arms can have antimicrobial functionality.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprise a drug, a first block polymer and a second block polymer. The first block polymer has a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) block and a polycarbonate block bearing a side chain aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycle (N-heterocycle). The N-heterocycle can be in the form of a base, a hydrosalt of the base, a sulfobetaine adduct of the base, or a combination thereof. The second block polymer has a PEO block and a polycarbonate block bearing a side chain catechol group, which can be present as a catechol, oxidized form of a catechol, and/or a polymerized form of a catechol. The nanoparticles can be dispersed in water and are capable of controlled release of the drug.

Abstract: Techniques regarding treating one or more microbe infections with combination therapy are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a method, which can comprise enhancing an antimicrobial activity of an antibiotic by a combination therapy. The combination therapy can comprise the antibiotic and a polycarbonate polymer functionalized with a guanidinium functional group.