Bioconjugation is a chemical technique used to couple together two molecules at least one of which is a biomolecule (e.g., a carbohydrate, nucleic acid, or protein). Functionalized polymers can improve the stability, solubility, transport pathways, and therapeutic potential of pre-existing biomolecules in a variety of applications. For example, synthetically modified polymers can be used as trackers to record changes in cellular behavior, as markers for bioimaging or as carriers for drug delivery to target cells. In addition to this, polymers can reveal enzyme functions and determine the biodistribution of proteins in the biomedical field upon attachment of specific biomolecules. As a specialized one-stop technology solution provider, BOC Science offers comprehensive polymer bioconjugation or custom synthesis services to institutional and industrial clients.
Our polymer bioconjugation strategy
Coupling reactions are probably the most common route for introducing synthetic polymers into sequence-determined peptides or proteins. This approach involves linking a synthetic polymer with a well-defined terminal function to a peptide or protein with a complementary function. The most straightforward method is to form an amide bond between the two molecules. BOC Science has built a comprehensive, state-of-the-art technology platform to provide customized polymer bioconjugate services in a timely manner based on our client’s specific needs. Our coupling-bioconjugation services support
Direct polymerization of biomolecules (grafting/dispersion strategies)
Direct control of the growth of synthetic polymers from pre-assembled biostructures is conceptually the most direct approach to synthesizing polymer bioconjugates. In this approach, biomolecules are chemically modified by low molecular weight initiating groups and then used as polymerization macroinitiators. Controlled radical polymerization (CRP) techniques such as atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), nitroso-mediated polymerization (NMP), and reversible addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization (RAFT) have opened up unprecedented possibilities for polymer bioconjugation. Theoretically, these strategies enable higher polymer conjugation efficiencies compared to most coupling methods. In addition, instead of separating different types of macromolecules, this approach sorts out high molecular weight biopolymer conjugates from low molecular weight monomers.
Functional monomers and macromonomers (grafting method)
Direct chain polymerization of functional monomers and macromonomers is another useful route for the preparation of macromolecules with synthetic backbones and pendant biological structural units (e.g., amino acids, peptides, nucleotides, nucleobases, sugars). Such macromolecules are not polymer bioconjugates in the strict sense of the term, as they do not combine different synthetic and biomolecular structural domains. However, they retain the properties of both synthetic and biomaterials. With an advanced polymer chemistry technology platform, BOC Science offers a broad range of applicable live polymerization methods for polymerizing biofunctional monomers such as ATRP, NMP, RAFT, or ring-opening partial polymerization (ROMP). Specific types include
Reverse Bioconjugation
While the conjugation strategies described above involve coupling polymers to biological fragments or synthesizing grafted polymers, the reverse bioconjugation strategy involves the stepwise synthesis of biological fragments onto prefabricated synthetic polymers. Currently, the most common applications of reverse conjugation include peptide-polymer conjugates and oligonucleotide-polymer conjugates. Among these, the reverse bioconjugation strategy controls the number and orientation of oligonucleotide chains grafted onto the synthetic polymer chains. BOC Science has a biomolecule-polymer bioconjugation platform dedicated to polymer functionalization. Our research pace is at the advanced level of the industry.
Our Specialty Services Isolation and Purification
Since most bioconjugation reactions cannot be completed completely, excessive amounts of reagents are often required, making it more difficult to extract the product from the resulting mixture. BOC Science has been engaged in the custom synthesis of polymers for many years and has participated in numerous projects. As a result, we not only have extensive experience in bioconjugation reactions but have also developed special purification processes. Click here to learn more about our polymer isolation and purification service.
Our Strengths
Trained experts with unrivaled experience and expertise in bioconjugation chemistry
State-of-the-art technology platform for biopolymer production and assay development
Numerous brands and in-house fluorophores, biotin, enzymes, and bioparticles
Guaranteed conjugation reproducibility and high-quality end products with detailed information
Cost-effective and time efficient