Figure 1. Synthesis and functionalization of PBCA-based polymeric MB.
A: BCA monomers are added to an aqueous solution containing the surfactant Triton X-100 at pH 2.5. Vigorous stirring creates polydisperse MB with PBCA as the shell material. Scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy exemplify the spherical shape of PBCA MB. B: Schematic depiction of the surface-functionalization and shell-loading of PBCA MB, making them useful for molecular imaging and drug delivery. Coupling of antibodies and peptides as targeting moieties for molecular imaging targeted drug delivery can be performed by biotin-streptavidin linkages, as well as via direct chemical coupling mechanisms. C: For surface-functionalization, the shell of PBCA MB is hydrolyzed to create carboxyl-groups for chemical coupling to targeting ligands.