Peptide-polymer conjugates are a hybrid class of materials that take advantage of natural and synthetic building blocks whose individual properties can be synergistically combined. Their modular design enables the incorporation of chemical functionalities, hierarchal control over assembly, as well as unique chemical, biological, and mechanical properties. These conjugates allow for the design of complex, highly responsive materials with applications in many fields. Within this dissertation, two different peptide-polymer conjugates are discussed.

Hands-on experts describe in step-by-step detail the key methodologies of contemporary peptide synthesis and illustrate their numerous applications. The techniques presented include protocols for chemical ligation, the synthesis of cyclic and phosphotyrosine-containing peptides, lipoamino acid- and sugar-conjugated peptides, and peptide purification and analyses. Additional chapters detail methodologies and instrumentation for high-throughput peptide synthesis, many different applications of peptides as novel research tools and biological probes, and the design and application of fluorescent substrate-based peptides that can be used to determine the selectivity and activity of peptidases. A practical guide to the identification of proteins using mass spectrometric analyses of peptide mixtures is also included.

Polymer–Protein Conjugates: From Pegylation and Beyond helps researchers by offering a unique reference and guide into this fascinating area. Sections cover the challenges surrounding the homogeneity of conjugates, their purity and polymer toxicity on long-term use, and how to deal with the risk of immunogenicity. These discussions help researchers design new projects by taking into account the latest innovations for safe and site selective polymer conjugation to proteins. PEG has been the gold standard and likely will play this role for many years, but alternatives are coming into the market, some of which have already been launched. After five decades of improvements, the ideas in this book are entering into a new era of innovation because of the advances in genetic engineering, biochemistry and a better understanding of the results from clinical use of PEG conjugates in humans. Provides an overview on the state-of-the-art of protein polymer conjugation Presents both the pros and cons of polymer-protein conjugates from the point-of-view of their clinical outcomes Outlines advantages and potential risks of present technology based on PEG Offers new alternatives for PEG and new approaches for on site-selective protein modification Identifies future direction of research in this field