Controlled Macromolecular Synthesis

We synthesize new polymeric materials with defined composition and structure (homopolymers; statistical, block, graft, and branched copolymers; polymeric brushes) by the methods of free-radical polymerization (in solution, suspension, and emulsion), controlled radical polymerization (ATRP and related methods, RAFT, NMP), anionic polymerization, and polyaddition polymerization. We also conduct post-modifications of both natural and synthetic polymers.

Our expertise is used in diverse research projects focusing mainly on the preparation of materials with applications in biology and medicine. In addition, we further develop and fine-tune protocols of reversible-deactivation radical polymerization, expanding the applications of this methodology to new monomers. Our department has an active technology transfer program.

Current research directions

Design and preparation of new forms of medical preparations for accelerated healing of acute wounds, chronic microbially contaminated wounds, and inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (CA 2963582C, CZ 305391B6, CZ 308047B6, CZ 308284B6)
Synthesis of amphiphilic copolymers for the isolation of membrane proteins
Synthesis and modification of polymers intended for the microencapsulation of pancreatic cells aimed at the diabetes type 1 treatment (Sci. Rep. 2018)
Development of copolymers for coatings used in the automotive industry (in cooperation with an industrial partner)
Preparation and characterization of polymeric networks for bile acid sequestration.
Preparation and characterization of linear polymers and polymeric networks incorporating antioxidant moieties in their structure; in vitro determination of their antioxidant properties (Biomacromolecules 2015)
Preparation of new materials via graphene oxide modification by selected functional groups and polymeric chains (RSC Adv. 2020, Eur. Polym. J. 2017)
Synthesis of amphiphilic copolymers and polyelectrolytes with diverse architecture for the study of their solution properties (Macromolecules 2019, ACS Macro Lett. 2018)
Study and optimization of methods of copper-catalyzed controlled radical polymerization (Polym. Chem. 2019, Macromolecules 2020)
Surface modifications toward precise control of cell-surface interactions and analysis of the interaction of mammalian cells with the designed polymeric matrices and surfaces (Macromol. Biosci. 2020)
Preparation and characterization of “non-fouling” polyurethane-based ultra-thin coatings for biomedical applications

Currently funded projects

Development of novel application forms of the preparation for wound healing acceleration (Ministry of Industry and Trade, program TRIO)
Biochemical studies of membrane rafts and immunoreceptors based on cell membrane disintegrating copolymers (Czech Science Foundation)
New generation PMCG multicomponent microcapsule with tailored biointerface to avoid immune response after transplantation (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, USA)
Research projects sponsored by companies from the USA and Czechia

Cooperation

Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovakia)
CellTrans Inc. (USA)
Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University (Czech Republic)
University of Siegen (Germany)
Axalta Coating Systems Inc. (USA)
Wake s.r.o. (Czech Republic)
VH Pharma, a.s. (Czech Republic)