Research Interests

Bioactive Supramolecular Architectures

Synthetic chemistry that enables the supramolecular programming of defined protein hybrids provides a unique strategy towards the development of precision biotherapeutics. Through chemical design and exploration of stimulus responsive groups, biomolecules can be modified to behave in a sequential and precise manner. With the integration of both synthetic and biological moieties, we seek to evolve a hybrid construct that provide a contemporary perspective into the creation of the next generation precision nanomedicine.

 

Supramolecular Polymers

Recent advances including living polymerization to improve dispersity and sequence control have been widely appreciated to be the future of polymer chemistry. On the other hand, the dynamic properties of polymers constructed based on supramolecular chemistry have been challenging to grasp and understand. Nonetheless, the chemical fluidity of this unique class of polymers provides the possibility of creating an entirely reversible polymer chain, mimicking the transient assembly system of Nature. In this aspect, molecules can be switched between a polymeric form and a monomer form by exposing to a designated stimulus thus providing a platform for rapid “assemble and release” strategies.

 

Group Members

Matthias Arzt
Chaojian Chen
Andreas Rieggers
Christiane Seidler

Publications

1. ǂNg, Y.W.D.; ǂWu, Y.; Kuan, S.L.; Weil, T. Programming Supramolecular Biohybrids as Precision Therapeutics. Acc. Chem. Res. 2014, Accepted.
   
   
2. ǂWu, Y.; ǂNg, Y.W.D.; Kuan, S.L.; Weil, T. Protein-Polymer Therapeutics – A Macromolecular Perspective. Biomaterials Sci. 2014, Accepted.
   
   
3. Ng, Y.W.D.; Arzt, M.; Wu, Y.; Kuan, S.L.; Lamla, M.; Weil, T. Constructing Hybrid Protein Zymogens through Protective Dendritic Assembly. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 324. Featured as back cover (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1/2014) DOI: 10.1002/anie.201310545.
   
   
4. Arzt, M.; Siedler, C.; Ng, Y.W.D.; Weil, T. Bioorthogonal Click Reactions with Boronic Acids to Build Supramolecular Architectures in Water. Chem. Asian. J. 2014, 9, 1994.
   
   
5. Fӧrstner, P.; Bayer, F.; Kalu, N.; Felsen, S.; Fӧrtsch, C.; Aloufi, A.; Ng, Y.W.D.; Weil, T.; Nestorovich, E.M.; Barth, H. Cationic PAMAM Dendrimers as Pore Blocking Binary Toxin Inhibitors. Biomacromolecules 2014, 15, 2461.
   
   
6. Wang, T.; Wu, Y.; Kuan, S.L.; Dumele, O.; Lamla, M.; Ng, Y.W.D.; Arzt, M.; Thomas, J.; Mueller, J.O.; Barner-Kowollik, C.; Weil, T. A Disulfide Intercalator Toolbox for the Site-Directed Modification of Polypeptides. Chem. Eur. J. 2014, Accepted.
   
   
7. Hedrich, J.; Ng, Y.W.D.; Jansen, M.; Weil, T.; Luhmann, H.J. Transport Across the Blood Brain Barrier with Nanoparticle Systems. Acta Physiologica 2014, 210, 196.
   
   
8. ǂNg, Y.W.D.; ǂFahrer, J.; Wu, Y.; Eisele, K.; Kuan, S.L.; Barth, H.; Weil, T. Efficient Delivery of p53 and Cytochrome C by Supramolecular Assembly of a Dendritic Multi-Domain Delivery System. Adv. Healthcare Mater. 2013, 2, 1620.
   
   
9. ǂKuan, S.L.; ǂNg, Y.W.D.; Wu, Y.; Förtsch, C.; Barth, H.; Doroshenko, M.; Koynov, K.; Meier, C.; Weil, T. pH Responsive Janus-like Supramolecular Fusion Proteins for Functional Protein Delivery. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 17254.
   
   
10. Wang, T.; Ng, Y.W.D.; Wu, Y.; Thomas, J.; Tran, T.T.; Weil, T. Glutathione Triggered Intracellular Cleavage of Bis-Sulfide Bioconjugates for Tumor Responsive Drug Release. Chem. Commun. 2013, 50, 1116.
    
    
11. Kuan, S.L.; Stöckle, B.; Reichenwallner, J.; Ng, Y.W.D.; Wu, Y.; Doroshenko, M.; Koynov, K.; Hinderberger, D.; Müllen, K.; Weil, T. Dendronized Albumin Core–Shell Transporters with High Drug Loading Capacity. Biomacromolecules 2013, 14, 367.
    
    
12. Wu, Y.; Wang, T.; Ng, Y.W.D.; Weil, T. Multifunctional Polypeptide–PEO Nanoreactors via the Hydrophobic Switch. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2012, 33, 1474.
    
    
13. Fahrer, J.; Ng, Y.W.D.; Eisele, K.; Kuan, S.L.; Weil, T.; Barth, H. Internalization of biotin-labeled p53 tumor suppressor protein into p53-deficient osteosarcoma cells by a novel streptavidin nanocarrier impairs cell viability and induces caspase activation. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Archives of Pharmacology 2012, 385, 25.

CV

2014 -                 Group leader (Supramolecular Polymers/Polymeric Biomaterials), Institute of Organic Chemistry III, Ulm University

2013-2014           Dr. rer. nat. (summa cum laude), Institute of Organic Chemistry III, Ulm University

2010-2013           Doctoral Research at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research

2009-2010           Doctoral Research at the National University of Singapore

2005-2009           B.Sc. Hons. (1st Class), National University of Singapore