Who invented dendrimers?
These hyperbranched molecules were first discovered by Fritz Vogtle in 1978, by Donald Tomalia and co-workers in the early 1980s, and at the same time, but independently by George R. Newkome. The second group called synthesized macromolecules ‘arborols’ means, in Latin, ‘trees’.
What is the meaning of dendrimers?
Dendrimers are highly ordered, branched polymeric molecules. Synonymous terms for dendrimer include arborols and cascade molecules. Typically, dendrimers are symmetric about the core, and often adopt a spherical three-dimensional morphology. The word dendron is also encountered frequently.
How are dendrimers formed?
Dendrimers are constructed by the successive addition of layers to the branching groups. The synthesis of dendrimers involves a core molecule with branching groups to which other branching molecules are added (see figure below) in layers. Each new layer is called a generation.
Are dendrimers safe?
Due to certain properties such as nanoscale size, a high degree of branching, polyvalency, biocompatibility, high water solubility, absence of immunogenicity, precise molecular weight, and available internal cavities, dendrimers are excellent vehicles for safely and effectively transporting drugs [11].
How do dendrimers work in drug delivery?
Dendrimers for drug delivery are employed using two approaches: (i) formulation and (ii) nanoconstruct. In the formulation approach, drugs are physically entrapped in a dendrimer using non-covalent interactions, whereas drugs are covalently coupled on dendrimers in the nanoconstruct approach.
Are dendrimers biocompatible?
The dendrimer also showed high biocompatibility in other toxicity assays such as hemolysis assay, lactate dehydrogenase assay, and prothrombin time assay. High drug loading efficiency and sustained drug release were obtained on the biocompatible dendrimer, indicating its promising use as vehicle for cancer therapy.
What are some desirable features of dendrimers for drug delivery?
[23] Unlike traditional polymers, dendrimers have received considerable attention in biological applications due to their high water solubility,[24] biocompatibility,[25] polyvalency[12] and precise molecular weight. [26] These features make them an ideal carrier for drug delivery and targeting applications.
What are PAMAM dendrimers?
PAMAM dendrimers are a family of highly branched and mono-disperse synthetic macromolecules with well-defined structures and compositions. Synthesis of these nanocarriers can be carried out through the divergent route.
What is a dendrimer?
Dendrimers are highly ordered, branched polymeric molecules. Synonymous terms for dendrimer include arborols and cascade molecules. Typically, dendrimers are symmetric about the core, and often adopt a spherical three-dimensional morphology. The word dendron is also encountered frequently.
Are dendrimers unimolecular micelles?
Dendrimers with hydrophobic core and hydrophilic periphery have shown to exhibit micelle-like behavior and have container properties in solution. The use of dendrimers as unimolecular micelles was proposed by Newkome in 1985. This analogy highlighted the utility of dendrimers as solubilizing agents.
Are dendrimers photochemical reaction media?
“Dendrimers as photochemical reaction media. Photochemical behavior of unimolecular and bimolecular reactions in water-soluble dendrimers”. The Journal of Organic Chemistry. 70 (13): 5062–9. doi: 10.1021/jo0503254.
What is a dendrite in biology?
Dendrites are one of two types of protoplasmic protrusions that extrude from the cell body of a neuron, the other type being an axon. Axons can be distinguished from dendrites by several features including shape, length, and function.