Charge interaction in branched polymer nanosystems and application in drug delivery

A promising class of multi-functional macromolecules suitable for biological applications consists of the highly ramified (dendritic) polymers known as dendrimers. Because of their compact, tree-like molecular structure, dendrimers provide a source of surface functionality and interior void space, which makes well-suited for use as carrier molecules in drug delivery1. Their multivalent surface functionalities, in fact, can be linked to drug molecules or ligands in a well-defined manner thus increasing the binding efficiency or affinity of therapeutic molecules. These systems combine then the inclusion and transport properties of guest-host (drug carrier) systems, together with the increased stability of colloidal aggregates, and may be of interest as a promising class of nanomaterials suitable for advanced applications in the field of biotechnology and medicine.