Provided are modified bio-derived polymers having improved processability as well as methods of producing such polymers and articles produced therefrom. The modified bio-derived polymers have improved melt strength compared with presently available bio-derived polymers. Thus, the inventive bio-derived polymers are suitable for use in plastic processing techniques such as blow molding and blown film extrusion.

A method of preparing a mono(C.sub.4-32 hydrocarbyl) ester of a mono(C.sub.1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol by contacting a C.sub.1-4 alcohol and an alkylene oxide comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing under conditions effective to provide a first mono(C.sub.1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol having a first average degree of polymerization; contacting the first mono(C.sub.1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol and the alkylene oxide under conditions effective to provide a second mono(C.sub.1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol having a second average degree of polymerization that is higher than the first average degree of polymerization; and contacting the second (C.sub.1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol and a C.sub.4-32 carboxylic acid to provide the mono(CC.sub.4-32 hydrocarbyl) ester of a mono(C.sub.1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol.

This invention discloses the creation of a novel single ligand-targeted multi-stereoisomer peptide-polymer conjugate compounds comprising a group of different synthetic and chemically modified stereoisomer peptides that have been conjugated to a biocompatible polymer carrying a peptide ligand for targeted delivery and/or encapsulated in ligand targeted polymer nanoparticles. The unique physicochemical properties of the stereoisomer peptides provide therapeutic compounds with ideal biopharmaceutical properties. The stereoisomer peptides carried by the polymer are delivered to cells or tissues to inhibit, suppress, block, antagonize or disrupt, simultaneously and independently, the functional domain of different disease causing proteins. Therefore the compounds are novel therapeutics for the treatment of abnormal angiogenesis and inflammation which are the hall mark of most human diseases including but not limited to all cancers, metastasis, eye retinopathies, cardiovascular, brain, and neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and diseases caused by infectious microorganisms including virus, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

In one aspect, the invention relates to polymers, crosslinked polymers, functionalized polymers, nanoparticles, and functionalized nanoparticles and methods of making and using same. In one aspect, the invention relates to degradable polymers and degradable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention relates to methods of preparing degradable nanoparticles and, more specifically, methods of controlling particle size during the preparation of degradable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the degradable nanoparticles are useful for complexing, delivering, and releasing payloads, including pharmaceutically active payloads. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

The poly(ε-caprolactone)-ethoxylated fatty acid copolymers are block copolymers including ε-caprolactone units and ethoxylated fatty alcohol units, the block copolymer having the structural formula:

##STR00001##

where n and m are integers greater than 0 and R is an alkyl group. The block copolymer is prepared by polymerizing ε-caprolactone and an ethoxylated fatty alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, such as stannous octoate. The block copolymers have potential as delivery systems for various payloads, such as, but not limited to, lipid soluble drugs and diagnostic agents.

A flame-retardant polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material having a phosphate-terminated side-chain is disclosed.

Provided are nucleic acids and vectors that collectively encode various gene products related to converting styrene to polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). In some embodiments, the nucleic acids and vectors collectively encode a styrene monooxygenase polypeptide, a flavin reductase polypeptide, a styrene-oxide isomerase polypeptide, and a phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase polypeptide, an acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase polypeptide, a 3-ketoacyl-ACP reductase polypeptide, a class I poly(R)-hydroxyalkanoic acid synthase polypeptide, and optionally an influx porin polypeptide. Also provided are systems and methods for producing PHB from styrene, methods and systems for remediating polystyrene waste. In some embodiments, the systems are in vivo systems.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a copolymer from at least one cyclic monomer selected from: a lactone, a lactam, a carbonate, a lactide and a glycolide, an oxazoline, an epoxide, a cyclosiloxane, comprising the step consisting of reacting said cyclic monomer in the presence of a substituted phosphorus-containing compound. It also relates to the polymer composition obtained according to this method, as well as the uses thereof, notably as antistatic additives, biocompatible materials, as membranes for treatment of effluents or in electrochemical systems for energy storage.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composition comprising aliphatic polyester by ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ester monomers, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing cyclic ester monomers and polymerization catalyst to a reactor, (b) melt polymerizing said cyclic ester monomers to form a composition comprising aliphatic polyester, (c) stabilizing the composition against aliphatic polyester depolymerization by incorporating therein or applying thereto at least one stabilizing agent, thereby obtaining a melt-stable composition, and (d) optionally removing at least a portion of the residual cyclic ester monomers; wherein said stabilizing agent is a compound of formula (I)

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, m ,R.sup.4 , R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 are as defined in the claims. The present invention also relates to a process for stabilizing an aliphatic polyester against depolymerization comprising the steps of (a) forming an aliphatic polyester, and (b) stabilizing the polyester against depolymerization by incorporating therein or applying thereto at least one stabilizing agent, thereby obtaining a melt-stable polyester, wherein said stabilizing agent is a compound of formula (I). The present invention also relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) as a stabilizing agent against aliphatic polyester depolymerization.

In an example, a flame-retardant polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) phosphonate material has a polymeric backbone that includes a phosphonate linkage between a first PHA material and a second PHA material.