Polymer Complexation
Polymer Complexation - Related Videos
14:03
Transduction of Human Cells with Polymer-complexed Ecotropic Lentivirus for Enhanced Biosafety
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Cited by 8 •
2011
Lentiviruses are a valuable research tool for exploring gene function; however, researchers may wish to avoid production of pantropic lentivirus encoding known or suspected oncogenes. As an alternative, we present a safer protocol for use of ecotropic lentivirus on human cells modified to express the ecotropic receptor mSlc7a1.
02:34
Polymers
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2020
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
04:33
3D Culture of Porcine COCs: A Procedure to Encapsulate Cumulus Oocyte Complexes in Fibrin-alginate Polymer Hydrogel Beads
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2025
This video describes the protocols for encapsulating porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in fibrin-alginate beads to establish a 3D culture. This in-vitro maturation system maintains normal cell-to-cell communication, ensuring oocyte maturation and retaining viability.
08:44
Tension Tests of Polymers
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2023
Source: Roberto Leon, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Polymeric materials are widely used in civil structures, with uses ranging from very soft sealants to more rigid pipes in water and wastewater systems. The most basic definition of a polymer is a molecular structure with repeating subunits. The term polymer comes from Greek, where "poly" means many, and "-mer" means basic unit. Monomers, or single mers, are the specific repeating units. With...
05:49
Laser Micromachining for Polymer Surface Topography Design
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2025
A method for imposing surface topography of light-absorbing composite polymer materials, particularly magnetoactive elastomers (MAEs), by using laser micromachining is presented. This method enables large flexibility in topographical designs and rapid prototyping. An example of structuring MAE surfaces, characterization, and their response to the external magnetic field is demonstrated.
FAQs
The balance of polymer charge and dissolved ions strongly influences assembly. Changes in pH can alter the charges carried by polyelectrolytes, while ionic strength affects how strongly opposite charges attract in water. Researchers can therefore examine how these conditions change complex formation, structure, and physical properties, helping them design assemblies with behavior suited to biological or biotechnological applications.
Hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and other noncovalent forces can contribute to association between polymer chains. Their relative importance depends on polymer composition and the surrounding aqueous conditions. Considering several interaction types helps explain why complexes formed from different polymers may differ in stability, organization, and response to environmental changes, even when the chains have similar overall charge.
Different combinations of polymer composition, concentration, pH, ionic strength, and charge interactions can produce distinct assembly states. Some associations remain soluble, whereas others separate into coacervates or form condensed particles. These structural outcomes give the resulting materials different physical properties, making the relationship between assembly conditions and final organization important for biological models and engineered systems.
A basic investigation brings selected polymer chains together in aqueous conditions and compares the resulting assemblies while varying factors such as pH, ionic strength, concentration, and polymer composition. Researchers then relate those conditions to whether the system forms a soluble complex, coacervate, or condensed particle. This approach connects controllable inputs with changes in structure and physical behavior.
In biological research, these assemblies can be used to study and influence the behavior of proteins, nucleic acids, and cells. Polymer interactions provide a controllable way to model macromolecular organization or create environments that alter how biological components are arranged. The resulting systems support investigations of organization at biologically relevant scales without requiring the polymers to be covalently joined.
Polymer complexation supports biomaterials design, controlled drug or gene delivery, and responsive systems for biotechnology and medicine. By adjusting composition and aqueous conditions, researchers can tune whether assemblies remain soluble or become condensed structures. This tunability helps connect material structure with the handling or release of biological cargo and with responses to changing environmental conditions.