Search

Back and forth: Enzymatic, reversible polymerization on gold surfaces was efficiently carried out from surface ‐ tethered self ‐ priming oligodeoxynucleotides in a sequence ‐ specific fashion by using two kinds of enzymes. Taq DNA polymerase, acting as a catalyst, facilitated DNA polymerization, and DNA restriction enzymes cut DNA polymers from the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cytocompatible method of surface-initiated, activator regenerated by electron transfer, atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ARGET ATRP) is developed for engineering cell surfaces with synthetic polymers. Dopamine-based ATRP initiators are used for both introducing the ATRP initiator onto chemically complex cell surfaces uniformly (by the material-independent coating property of polydopamine) and protecting the cells from radical attack during polymerization (by the radical-scavenging property of polydopamine). Synthetic polymers are grafted onto the surface of individual yeast cells without significant loss of cell viability, and the uniform and dense grafting is confirmed by various characterization methods including agglutination assay and cell-division studies. This work will provide a strategic approach to the generation of living cell-polymer hybrid structures and open the door to their application in multitude of areas, such as sensor technology, catalysis, theranostics, and cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reversible polymerization has a great potential for the generation of reusable nanomaterials and complete repair of cracks or breaks in self ‐ healing materials. In their Communication on page 908   ff., Young Hwan Jung et   al. report on a surface ‐ initiated, reversible polymerization of DNA that is processed by enzymatic reactions. Elongation of DNA, catalyzed by Taq DNA polymerase, is performed from a self ‐ priming oligodeoxynucleotide anchored onto gold, and reversible de ‐ polymerization and re ‐ polymerization are achieved in a sequence ‐ specific manner by using a restriction enzyme and Taq DNA polymerase. The cover picture was designed by Juno Lee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]