ИСТИНА

We describe an approach using polymeric microgels as containers of high capacity enabling to construct systems (both in solution and at interfaces) for uptake and triggered release of functional guests (payloads). As the polymeric microgels, those, which are based on thermoresponsive (LCST-type) polymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), having a small fractions of incorporated comonomer ionic units, e.g., anionic ones like methacrylic acid or cationic ones like N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)methacrylamide or N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide, were exploited. Electroststic attraction was utilized as a binding principle for loading of the microgels as demonstrated by various experimental techniques (fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, laser microelectrophoresis, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring, wide-field fluorescence microscopy, etc.), wherein charged guests (such as polyelectrolytes, enzymes/proteins, etc.) interact with the oppositely charged microgels in solution or adsorbed at the solid-liquid interface. Their release from the microgels can be triggered by variation of conditions of the surrounding medium (e.g., ionic strength, pH), thus holding promise for many important applications (including biomedical ones), especially for targeted/controlled delivery. (SMA-P017, p. 746)