Abstract
The folding and collapse of individual polymer chains into single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCPNs) is a versatile and emerging platform for biological applications such as diagnostics, imaging, and therapy, where components for two or more of these functions can be combined onto a single polymer carrier. Here, we prepare heterotelechelic polymers with three sets of separately addressable chemical handles at their α-terminus and ω-terminus, and along their backbone. As a model system, the α- and ω-termini are conjugated with a targeting ligand (folic acid or biotin) and therapeutic drug cargo (camptothecin), respectively, and the backbone is grafted with pendant fluorescent dye molecules, poly(ethylene glycol) oligomers, and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide. These polymers fold in water to give fluorescent SCPNs, which are characterized with respect to their physical and photophysical properties. The latter reveals a relationship between polymer folding, quantum yield, and resistance to photobleaching. The ...
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