Wilks, Thomas R. (2013) Synthesis of DNA-polymer conjugates using RAFT polymerisation. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The use of reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation for the production of DNA–polymer conjugates is explored. Chapter 1 gives a general introduction to the field of DNA–polymer conjugates, their potential applications and methods for their synthesis. The need for a general, solutionphase
technique for DNA–polymer conjugation is highlighted. In Chapters 2-5, the use of a number of different strategies for the production of DNA–polymer conjugates is described. Amide coupling (Chapter 2) is found to produce the desired products only under very specific reaction conditions. The thiol–alkene Michael addition reaction (Chapter 3) is found to afford DNA–polymer conjugates in aqueous
solution with high yield; however, attempts to replicate this using organic solvents are not successful. The inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction between tetrazine and norbornene (Chapter 4) is explored and found to produce DNA–polymer conjugates in
high yield in organic solvents; however, the precursor compounds are time-consuming to prepare and so the generality of this approach is limited. Finally, the copper-catalysed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (Chapter 5) is found to be an excellent method for the
production of a wide range of DNA–polymer conjugates. Chapter 6 describes the use of the DNA segment of a DNA–polymer conjugate to assemble a discrete three dimensional nanostructure – a DNA tetrahedron – incorporating the temperature-responsive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). These hybrid structures are found to be able to stabilise the formation of discrete, well-defined polymer
nanoparticles at elevated temperatures. Chapter 7 describes the use of a non-covalent interaction (intercalation) to produce DNA–
polymer conjugates. The effect of polymer molecular weight and structure on the strength of this interaction are explored. Finally, intercalation is exploited to template the formation of discrete polymer particles on a DNA strand.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Polymerization, Conjugated polymers -- Synthesis, DNA
Official Date:	August 2013
Dates:	Date Event August 2013 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Chemistry
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	O'Reilly, Rachel K.
Sponsors:	University of Warwick Chancellor's Scholarship
Extent:	xx, 283 leaves : illustrations.
Language:	eng

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