Traditional graft copolymers with long main chain (Mn≈ several tens of thousands) and with random branched lengths and density tend to form compound spherical micelles or unimolecular micelles so that their applications in biomaterials are restricted. Using a new kind of amphiphilic oligosaccharide-based graft copolymer with controlled branched structure, Dr. Caiqi Wang’ group recently developed a new route to form self-assembled nano-wires with different lengths and interesting biodegradable properties in water. The new biodegradable oligosaccharide-based graft copolymers bearing reactive hydroxy as well as the formed nano-wire self-assembled aggregates are very useful as functional biomaterials. The related results were published by Carbohydrated polymer (
Carbohydrate polymer, 2011, 83, 1723-1729;
Carbohydrate polymer, 2012, 87, 2306-2312).
