Disordered peptide-based design of intrinsically disordered polymers for biomedical applications

Abstract

In the fields of biology and medicine, the development of synthetic polymers that emulate the unique conformational characteristics of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) is of significant interest due to their exceptional structural and conformational versatility. The inherent flexibility of IDPs, arising from their absence of stable three-dimensional structures, enhances their capacity for self-organization, thereby rendering them advantageous for diverse biomedical applications. Intrinsically disordered synthetic polymers hold considerable promise in areas such as drug delivery systems, organ transplantation, artificial organ design, and immune system compatibility. However, advancing the synthesis and characterization methodologies for these polymers, which are derived from the properties of IDPs, remains a critical challenge. This article presents our design strategies for creating intrinsically disordered synthetic polymers tailored for biomedical use. These design methodologies are informed by the attributes of intrinsically disordered proteins and incorporate disorder-promoting oligopeptides.