Using controlled radical polymerisation techniques for the synthesis of functional polymers containing amino acid moieties

There is great current interest in bridging the gap between robust synthetic polymers and complex biological polymers to allow for the preparation of novel functional, well-defined, biocompatible and tailorable materials. In this mini-review recent reports on the preparation of functional amino acid polymers using controlled radical polymerisation techniques are discussed. The future potential applications of these materials as well as the proposed further directions in the field are also highlighted. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry