SELF-ASSEMBLING AMPHIPHILIC POLYMERS AS ANTIVIRAL AGENTS

摘要

There are provided amphiphilic biodegradable copolymers comprising a hydr ophilic backbone with pendant aliphatic groups as the hydrophobic component. The polymers form nanoscale molecular aggregates in aqueous environments, w hich have hydrophobic interiors that are capable of solubilizing insoluble o rganic compounds and disrupting viral coat proteins. The polymers optionally feature reactive functional groups that provide attachment points for antib odies, ligands, and other targeting moieties which mediate adherence of the aggregate to a viral target.