# Organic Polymerization Catalysis: Precision Macromolecules for Recognition in Biological Systems

> **NIH NIH R35** · COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $284,882

## Abstract

There is a fundamental lack of understanding in how the structure and architecture of a synthetic
polymer influences recognition in biological systems. Furthermore, there is a disconnection between the
properties of polymers in solution and the solid state with their relationships with biological systems.
Understanding how the conformational dynamics of a synthetic polymer can enhance biological recognition will
advance fields including targeted drug delivery, antimicrobial agents, and tissue engineering. However, gaining
the knowledge required to address this fundamental gap first necessitates the capability to synthesize
precision macromolecules and scaffolds through a biocompatible approach. The long-term goal of this project
is to establish a modular polymerization technology, using organic photocatalysts, for 3D printing of scaffolds
with precisely defined molecular, chemical, mechanical, and geometric properties targeting lung tissue
restoration. The central hypothesis of this research program is that the ability to use our biocompatible photo-
mediated polymerization technology for 3D printing of scaffolds with defined components over several different
length scales will enable tuning the scaffold for nurturing tissue growth. The overall objective of this application
is to advance our polymerization technology using organic photocatalysts to mediate a metal free atom transfer
radical polymerization en route to realizing a stereospecfic radical polymerization through flow chemistry
reaction engineering design. With the capability to synthesize functionally diverse stereoregular polymers, we
will determine the effects of polymer tacticity on their antimicrobial activity and selectivity for bacteria and
compatibility with mammalian cells. Through catalyst development and expansion of monomer scope, we will
establish a photographic photolithography approach to write distinct 2 and 3D polymer patterns in chemical
composition through monomer selection. Furthermore, our approach to connect polymers in solution to those
in the solid state will investigate molecular brush copolymers as intermediate macromolecules that possess
characteristics similar to both forms. We will introduce these molecular brush copolymers into biological
systems to explore the differences between them and the discrete polymer chains from our concurrent cell
studies. These findings will help resolve the essential structural features of polymers to yield efficient solid
state scaffolds for tissue engineering. The innovation of this research is within the methodology built upon our
group’s foundational and ongoing work of developing an organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization,
which promises to yield new materials for introduction in biomedical applications. The rationale for this
research is that it brings forth new materials that are only accessible through the development of our
polymerization technology, which will allow the design and synthesis of polymers th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9933045
- **Project number:** 5R35GM119702-06
- **Recipient organization:** COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Garret Morgan Miyake
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $284,882
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-01 → 2021-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9933045

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9933045, Organic Polymerization Catalysis: Precision Macromolecules for Recognition in Biological Systems (5R35GM119702-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9933045. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*