| abstract |
Described herein are inventive compositions and methods relating to polymer conjugates and, in particular, to polymer conjugates having pendant side groups comprising ring moieties. In one aspect, embodiments are generally related to compositions that mimic naturally-occurring polyphenol compounds. The compositions comprise, in some embodiments, a polymer backbone having a plurality of hydroxyaromatic pendant side groups or derivatives thereof. For example, in some cases, a pendant side group may be a phenol or a substituted derivative thereof. In some cases, the pendant side group may be an oxidized hydroxyaromatic group, such as a quinone. In some embodiments, self-assembled structures comprising one or more of the polymer conjugates are provided. For example, the polymer conjugates may be combined with a complexing agent to form a particle. In some cases, a polymer conjugate may form a hydrogel. In some embodiments, the self-assembled structures may contain an agent, such as a pharmaceutically active agent. Also provided are methods and kits for forming the compositions, methods of using the compositions, and the like. |