Enzyme-responsive polymeric assemblies, nanoparticles and hydrogels

Being responsive and adaptive to external stimuli is an intrinsic feature characteristic of all living organisms and soft matter. Specifically, responsive polymers can exhibit reversible or irreversible changes in chemical structures and/or physical properties in response to a specific signal input such as pH, temperature, ionic strength, light irradiation, mechanical force, electric and magnetic fields, and analyte of interest (e.g., ions, bioactive molecules, etc.) or an integration of them. The past decade has evidenced tremendous growth in the fundamental research of responsive polymers, and accordingly, diverse applications in fields ranging from drug or gene nanocarriers, imaging, diagnostics, smart…