Abstract:
The fundamental objective of this thesis is to introduce a methodology to design
self-assembling, stimuli-responsive, protein-dendron conjugates. The research during my
doctoral study was mainly focused on designing a chemical methodology to construct
monodisperse, stimuli-responsive, facially amphiphilic protein-dendron conjugates and
understand their self-assembly and dis-assembly behavior. In particular, this thesis mainly
deals with the construction of protein-dendron assemblies, which respond to both extrinsic
and intrinsic stimuli such as pH, light, and redox potential. Besides, accessibility for control
over hydrodynamic radius (Dh), oligomeric state, and the molecular weight of the proteindendron complex has been addressed by re-engineering the components in the molecular
design. The protein-dendron system presented in this thesis provides an opportunity to
functionalize interior and exterior domains of assemblies with a variety of therapeutic
agents. These opportunities could be used in devising antibody or ligand decorated particles
with controlled densities, which we expect to find application in the area of vaccine design,
targeted drug delivery.
