Polypeptoid Materials: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Polypeptoids have recently emerged as a subject of scientific interest due to their structural resemblance to existing pseudo-peptidic polymers including poly(alpha-peptide)s, poly(beta-peptide)s, poly(2-oxazoline)s, and poly(N-substituted acrylamide)s. With demonstrated backbone degradability, biocompatibility, and thermal processability, polypeptoids are potentially useful in a variety of biotechnological applications. Before those applications can be realized, it is important to develop their synthesis and understand their fundamental properties. In this Perspective, we will review recent advances in the synthesis and characterization of polypeptoids and their copolymers as well as the development of polypeptoid-based functional and structured materials. We will conclude by discussing the future prospects for this nascent class of pseudo-peptidic polymers.