Marek Brzeziński - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Marek Brzeziński
European Polymer Journal
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Materials Today Communications
Materials Today Communications
Molecules
Electrospun nonwovens of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) ... more Electrospun nonwovens of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and linear ladder-like poly(silsesquioxane) with methoxycarbonyl side groups (LPSQ-COOMe) were obtained. MWCNT and LPSQ-COOMe were added to the polymer solution before the electrospinning. In addition, nonwovens of PLLA grafted to modified MWCNT were electrospun. All modified nonwovens exhibited higher tensile strength than the neat PLA nonwoven. The addition of 10 wt.% of LPSQ-COOMe and 0.1 wt.% of MWCNT to PLLA increased the tensile strength of the nonwovens 2.4 times, improving also the elongation at the maximum stress.
Molecules
Cyclodextrins (CD) are a group of cyclic oligosaccharides with a cavity/specific structure that e... more Cyclodextrins (CD) are a group of cyclic oligosaccharides with a cavity/specific structure that enables to form inclusion complexes (IC) with a variety of molecules through non-covalent host-guest interactions. By an elegant combination of CD with biocompatible, synthetic and natural polymers, different types of universal drug delivery systems with dynamic/reversible properties have been generated. This review presents the design of nano- and micro-carriers, hydrogels, and fibres based on the polymer/CD supramolecular systems highlighting their possible biomedical applications. Application of the most prominent hydrophobic aliphatic polyesters that exhibit biodegradability, represented by polylactide and polycaprolactone, is described first. Subsequently, particular attention is focused on materials obtained from hydrophilic polyethylene oxide. Moreover, examples are also presented for grafting of CD on polysaccharides. In summary, we show the application of host-guest interactions ...
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Polymer Degradation and Stability
Abstract This study explored Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) non-covalently immobilized on mul... more Abstract This study explored Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) non-covalently immobilized on multiwalled carbon nanotubes for the preparation of metal-free (co)polymers of e-caprolactone (CL) and trimethylene carbonate (TMC). The novel catalytic/initiating system based on nanobiocatalyst and 1,5-pentanediol allows for the control over the molar mass (Mn) of the obtained homopolymers and copolymers. Mn of polymers, ranged from 5.0 to 50 kg/mol, was controlled by monomer to initiator ratio. Their microstructure was investigated by 13C NMR, while thermal properties by DSC. In addition, the recycling studies indicate that nanobiocatalyst can be used multiple times without loss in its activity. The application of non-toxic catalyst for the polymers preparation is of high importance for their industrial and biomedical applications. Therefore, our novel and versatile approach for the controlled synthesis of the CL and TMC (co)polymers for which the nanobiocatalyst can be used several times, enable to address the demand for the “metal-free (co)polymers”.
European Polymer Journal
Abstract Biocompatible and biodegradable stereocomplexed micelles (SCMs) based on polylactides (P... more Abstract Biocompatible and biodegradable stereocomplexed micelles (SCMs) based on polylactides (PLAs) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) core were designed and used as efficient intracellular drug carriers. The micelles formation, stability and drug release behavior of enantiomeric and stereocomplexed micelles with β-CD core were systematically investigated in comparison to the micelles composed of PLAs with dipentaerythritol (DPE) core. The presence of β-CD core allows for the formation of inclusion complex with a model anticancer drug: doxorubicin (DOX), whereas stereocomplexation between PLLA and PDLA enhanced the stability of obtained micelles. By the utility of different supramolecular interactions, we were able to control the release of DOX from obtained micelles. The release tests of DOX from supramolecular nanocarriers showed that DOX release changes in the order of DPE core micelles >β-CD core micelles >SCMs. The antitumor activities of the enantiomeric and stereocomplexed micelles toward HeLa (cervical cancer) and K562 (chronic myelogenous leukemia) cells were tested in vitro. Our data demonstrated that the SCMs/DOX more effectively inhibited the cell proliferation than similar enantiomeric micelles and for the highest concentration of DOX inside the SCMs. Most importantly, micelles were more efficient than free DOX. In summary, the supramolecular interactions can provide a favourable tool to construct a drug delivery system with controlled drug release and efficient tumor cell suppression which is beneficial for cancer therapy.
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Reactive and Functional Polymers
Abstract In this paper a set of linear and star -shaped polylactides (PLA's) containing a dif... more Abstract In this paper a set of linear and star -shaped polylactides (PLA's) containing a different number of -OH end-groups (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8) were synthesized. To compare the extent of interactions between different end-groups, the OH end-groups were transformed to COOH end-groups. To attain the proper conditions of this transformation, the conditions were optimized for the chosen model and then used for all synthesized polymers. The structure of synthesized polymers were confirmed by SEC-MALS, NMR and ATR FT-IR analyses. It was shown that PLA's architecture and number of OH and COOH groups in a single macromolecule have an influence on a viscosity of their solution due to their self-organization. For star -shaped PLA's containing higher than four number of COOH end-groups, it has been observed for the first time that the effect of intramolecular interactions exceeds intermolecular interactions what strongly affect their properties in diluted and concentrated solutions.
Polymer
Abstract In this study, the stereocomplexation of poly- l -lactide (PLLA) and poly- d -lactide (P... more Abstract In this study, the stereocomplexation of poly- l -lactide (PLLA) and poly- d -lactide (PDLA) was monitored in real time using fluorescence spectroscopy. To introduce fluorescence probes at the beginning (i.e., α position) of the PLLA and PDLA chains, a pyrene derivative was employed as an initiator for ring-opening polymerization of l,l -lactide (LLA) and d,d -lactide (DLA), respectively, and the post-polymerization functionalization of the hydroxyl end-groups of the PLLA were obtained by initiating LLA using the BuOH/Sn(Oct)2 system to form polylactide decorated with a pyrene moiety on the opposite polymer chain-end (i.e., ω position). Using these approaches, linear Py-PLLA-OH, Py-PDLA-OH, and Bu-PLLA-Py with molar masses equal to 3100, 3350 and 3300 g mol−1, respectively, were prepared. Next, equimolar compositions of Py-PLLA-OH/Py-PDLA-OH and Py-PDLA-OH/Bu-PLLA-Py in different solvents were prepared, and the stereocomplexation, which is related to excimer formation between the Py end-groups, was directly observed using fluorescence measurements of the excimer emission at 470 nm in both AcCN and THF solutions, respectively. The kinetic curves based on the IE/IM ratio as a function of time are complex in shape and indicate interaction of two enantiomeric chains occurred. In addition, at the beginning of the association, the PLA enantiomeric pairs form stereocomplex crystallites. The probability of parallel and antiparallel interactions of PLA enantiomers during stereocomplexation is similar and consistent with Cantow's calculations. In addition, the DSC analysis of the final PLA products confirmed that only stereocomplex crystallites were formed in these two solvents.
Progress in Polymer Science
Abstract The syntheses, properties and selected applications of star-shaped polymers with arms co... more Abstract The syntheses, properties and selected applications of star-shaped polymers with arms composed of homo- or copolymers of polylactide (PLA) is reviewed. The star-shaped (including miktoarm stars), dendritic, and branched polymers with a specified or varying numbers of arms were synthesized depending on the applied core molecule. Examples of a large number of various structures of star-shaped PLA polymers are precisely described. The growing interest in the synthesis of star-shaped and branched PLAs is primarily motivated by their potential applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical areas. Therefore, the thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties, as well as various applications, of PLA stars as, for example, drug carriers, medical materials, and components of hydrogels, are also reported.
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
This paper presents a microfluidic approach for fabricating stereocomplexed hollow microcapsules ... more This paper presents a microfluidic approach for fabricating stereocomplexed hollow microcapsules that uses water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion droplets as templates. The polylactides functionalized with 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) end groups are intermolecularly stereocomplexed by polylactides with opposite configurations to promote their self-assembly at a water-chloroform interface. This intermolecular interaction can significantly enhance the stability of resulting hollow microcapsules so that they preserve their shape and size after drying. Moreover, because these stimuli-responsive polylactides can assemble and disassemble into superstructures, they can be made to release their cargo by varying the pH values. The interfacially assembled supramolecular microcapsules, which possess stimuli-responsiveness and long-term stability, are potentially useful for encapsulation and delivery of drugs.
Macromolecular rapid communications, Jan 7, 2017
Control over morphology and porosity of supramolecular complexed polylactide (PLA) microparticles... more Control over morphology and porosity of supramolecular complexed polylactide (PLA) microparticles can be achieved by manipulation of the supramolecular interactions between their constituent polymeric building blocks. It is expected that such modular systems are ideal candidates to serve as degradable delivery carriers. In view of this goal, this study reports about a modular fabrication of biodegradable microparticles from terpyridine (TPy) and bisterpyridine (bisTPy) end-functionalized PLAs that can be transiently extended by chain association through differently strong complexation to three metal cations: Ni(2+) , Co(2+) , or Fe(2+) . Further influence on the morphology of the particles can be exerted by hydrogen-bonding association of enantiomeric l- and d-PLA chains in the form of stereocomplexes. Both effects cause different stabilization of phase-separating TPy and bisTPy PLA micrograins in a process of droplet-based microfluidic particle templating, resulting in different fo...
Materials Letters, 2015
Abstract Monodisperse biodegradable microspheres are excellent candidates to serve as vehicles fo... more Abstract Monodisperse biodegradable microspheres are excellent candidates to serve as vehicles for drug delivery, especially when they are responsive to external stimuli. In this work, such particles are prepared by a droplet-based microfluidic technique from supramolecular complexing polylactides. Both l - and d -polylactides carrying 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) end groups on their chain ends are synthesized and then used in a joint approach of microfluidics and solvent evaporation to fabricate stimuli-responsive PLA particles with controlled sizes of 40–60 μm and monodisperse size distribution. Due to the ability of the enantiomeric polylactides to form stereocomplexes and due to the additional supramolecular UPy binding, the stability of the obtained microspheres is significantly enhanced and sensitive to pH in the acidic regime. To demonstrate the utility of these microparticles for pH-dependent controlled release, a fluorescent dye is encapsulated and its release profiles are shown.
Polymer International, 2015
The discovery of stereocomplexation, secondary interaction between enantiomeric poly(l-lactide) (... more The discovery of stereocomplexation, secondary interaction between enantiomeric poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(d-lactide) (PDLA) provides a method for the creation of novel biomaterials with distinctive chemical and physical stability. Stereocomplexation opens a new way for the preparation of diverse micro- and nanostructures such as uniform microspheres, hollow particles, micelles, nanocrystals, nanofibres, nanotubes and polymerosomes. Herein, we describe the design of stereocomplex assemblies for specific applications and methods for their preparation. This review focuses primarily on the use of stereocomplex assemblies in biomedical applications due to the improved stability and physicochemical properties in comparison to enantiomeric polylactides. To make the polylactide stereocomplexes soluble in water and, as a consequence, to improve compatibility with the human body, various amphiphilic copolymers with PLLA and PDLA enantiomeric segments can be prepared. Stereocomplexation can facilitate their self-assembly into micro- and nanoparticles, stabilize the particle size and morphology and can also have an influence on the in vivo degradation rate and cytotoxicity of these materials. Stimuli-responsiveness in stereocomplex assemblies can be achieved by copolymerization of lactide with, for example, thermoresponsive N-isopropylacrylamide or amino acids with pH-sensitive pendant groups. Stereocomplex micro- and nanoparticles are used for encapsulation of various bioactive compounds: anticancer drugs, antibiotics and proteins. Finally, examples of materials in which high thermal and mechanical stabilities delivered as a result of stereocomplexation play a crucial role, i.e. hydrogels, nanofibres, microcellular foams and artificial skin, are described. The preparation of biomaterials and biomedical systems based on polylactide stereocomplex assemblies opens new opportunities in this field. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
European Polymer Journal
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Materials Today Communications
Materials Today Communications
Molecules
Electrospun nonwovens of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) ... more Electrospun nonwovens of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and linear ladder-like poly(silsesquioxane) with methoxycarbonyl side groups (LPSQ-COOMe) were obtained. MWCNT and LPSQ-COOMe were added to the polymer solution before the electrospinning. In addition, nonwovens of PLLA grafted to modified MWCNT were electrospun. All modified nonwovens exhibited higher tensile strength than the neat PLA nonwoven. The addition of 10 wt.% of LPSQ-COOMe and 0.1 wt.% of MWCNT to PLLA increased the tensile strength of the nonwovens 2.4 times, improving also the elongation at the maximum stress.
Molecules
Cyclodextrins (CD) are a group of cyclic oligosaccharides with a cavity/specific structure that e... more Cyclodextrins (CD) are a group of cyclic oligosaccharides with a cavity/specific structure that enables to form inclusion complexes (IC) with a variety of molecules through non-covalent host-guest interactions. By an elegant combination of CD with biocompatible, synthetic and natural polymers, different types of universal drug delivery systems with dynamic/reversible properties have been generated. This review presents the design of nano- and micro-carriers, hydrogels, and fibres based on the polymer/CD supramolecular systems highlighting their possible biomedical applications. Application of the most prominent hydrophobic aliphatic polyesters that exhibit biodegradability, represented by polylactide and polycaprolactone, is described first. Subsequently, particular attention is focused on materials obtained from hydrophilic polyethylene oxide. Moreover, examples are also presented for grafting of CD on polysaccharides. In summary, we show the application of host-guest interactions ...
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Polymer Degradation and Stability
Abstract This study explored Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) non-covalently immobilized on mul... more Abstract This study explored Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) non-covalently immobilized on multiwalled carbon nanotubes for the preparation of metal-free (co)polymers of e-caprolactone (CL) and trimethylene carbonate (TMC). The novel catalytic/initiating system based on nanobiocatalyst and 1,5-pentanediol allows for the control over the molar mass (Mn) of the obtained homopolymers and copolymers. Mn of polymers, ranged from 5.0 to 50 kg/mol, was controlled by monomer to initiator ratio. Their microstructure was investigated by 13C NMR, while thermal properties by DSC. In addition, the recycling studies indicate that nanobiocatalyst can be used multiple times without loss in its activity. The application of non-toxic catalyst for the polymers preparation is of high importance for their industrial and biomedical applications. Therefore, our novel and versatile approach for the controlled synthesis of the CL and TMC (co)polymers for which the nanobiocatalyst can be used several times, enable to address the demand for the “metal-free (co)polymers”.
European Polymer Journal
Abstract Biocompatible and biodegradable stereocomplexed micelles (SCMs) based on polylactides (P... more Abstract Biocompatible and biodegradable stereocomplexed micelles (SCMs) based on polylactides (PLAs) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) core were designed and used as efficient intracellular drug carriers. The micelles formation, stability and drug release behavior of enantiomeric and stereocomplexed micelles with β-CD core were systematically investigated in comparison to the micelles composed of PLAs with dipentaerythritol (DPE) core. The presence of β-CD core allows for the formation of inclusion complex with a model anticancer drug: doxorubicin (DOX), whereas stereocomplexation between PLLA and PDLA enhanced the stability of obtained micelles. By the utility of different supramolecular interactions, we were able to control the release of DOX from obtained micelles. The release tests of DOX from supramolecular nanocarriers showed that DOX release changes in the order of DPE core micelles >β-CD core micelles >SCMs. The antitumor activities of the enantiomeric and stereocomplexed micelles toward HeLa (cervical cancer) and K562 (chronic myelogenous leukemia) cells were tested in vitro. Our data demonstrated that the SCMs/DOX more effectively inhibited the cell proliferation than similar enantiomeric micelles and for the highest concentration of DOX inside the SCMs. Most importantly, micelles were more efficient than free DOX. In summary, the supramolecular interactions can provide a favourable tool to construct a drug delivery system with controlled drug release and efficient tumor cell suppression which is beneficial for cancer therapy.
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Reactive and Functional Polymers
Abstract In this paper a set of linear and star -shaped polylactides (PLA's) containing a dif... more Abstract In this paper a set of linear and star -shaped polylactides (PLA's) containing a different number of -OH end-groups (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8) were synthesized. To compare the extent of interactions between different end-groups, the OH end-groups were transformed to COOH end-groups. To attain the proper conditions of this transformation, the conditions were optimized for the chosen model and then used for all synthesized polymers. The structure of synthesized polymers were confirmed by SEC-MALS, NMR and ATR FT-IR analyses. It was shown that PLA's architecture and number of OH and COOH groups in a single macromolecule have an influence on a viscosity of their solution due to their self-organization. For star -shaped PLA's containing higher than four number of COOH end-groups, it has been observed for the first time that the effect of intramolecular interactions exceeds intermolecular interactions what strongly affect their properties in diluted and concentrated solutions.
Polymer
Abstract In this study, the stereocomplexation of poly- l -lactide (PLLA) and poly- d -lactide (P... more Abstract In this study, the stereocomplexation of poly- l -lactide (PLLA) and poly- d -lactide (PDLA) was monitored in real time using fluorescence spectroscopy. To introduce fluorescence probes at the beginning (i.e., α position) of the PLLA and PDLA chains, a pyrene derivative was employed as an initiator for ring-opening polymerization of l,l -lactide (LLA) and d,d -lactide (DLA), respectively, and the post-polymerization functionalization of the hydroxyl end-groups of the PLLA were obtained by initiating LLA using the BuOH/Sn(Oct)2 system to form polylactide decorated with a pyrene moiety on the opposite polymer chain-end (i.e., ω position). Using these approaches, linear Py-PLLA-OH, Py-PDLA-OH, and Bu-PLLA-Py with molar masses equal to 3100, 3350 and 3300 g mol−1, respectively, were prepared. Next, equimolar compositions of Py-PLLA-OH/Py-PDLA-OH and Py-PDLA-OH/Bu-PLLA-Py in different solvents were prepared, and the stereocomplexation, which is related to excimer formation between the Py end-groups, was directly observed using fluorescence measurements of the excimer emission at 470 nm in both AcCN and THF solutions, respectively. The kinetic curves based on the IE/IM ratio as a function of time are complex in shape and indicate interaction of two enantiomeric chains occurred. In addition, at the beginning of the association, the PLA enantiomeric pairs form stereocomplex crystallites. The probability of parallel and antiparallel interactions of PLA enantiomers during stereocomplexation is similar and consistent with Cantow's calculations. In addition, the DSC analysis of the final PLA products confirmed that only stereocomplex crystallites were formed in these two solvents.
Progress in Polymer Science
Abstract The syntheses, properties and selected applications of star-shaped polymers with arms co... more Abstract The syntheses, properties and selected applications of star-shaped polymers with arms composed of homo- or copolymers of polylactide (PLA) is reviewed. The star-shaped (including miktoarm stars), dendritic, and branched polymers with a specified or varying numbers of arms were synthesized depending on the applied core molecule. Examples of a large number of various structures of star-shaped PLA polymers are precisely described. The growing interest in the synthesis of star-shaped and branched PLAs is primarily motivated by their potential applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical areas. Therefore, the thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties, as well as various applications, of PLA stars as, for example, drug carriers, medical materials, and components of hydrogels, are also reported.
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
This paper presents a microfluidic approach for fabricating stereocomplexed hollow microcapsules ... more This paper presents a microfluidic approach for fabricating stereocomplexed hollow microcapsules that uses water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion droplets as templates. The polylactides functionalized with 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) end groups are intermolecularly stereocomplexed by polylactides with opposite configurations to promote their self-assembly at a water-chloroform interface. This intermolecular interaction can significantly enhance the stability of resulting hollow microcapsules so that they preserve their shape and size after drying. Moreover, because these stimuli-responsive polylactides can assemble and disassemble into superstructures, they can be made to release their cargo by varying the pH values. The interfacially assembled supramolecular microcapsules, which possess stimuli-responsiveness and long-term stability, are potentially useful for encapsulation and delivery of drugs.
Macromolecular rapid communications, Jan 7, 2017
Control over morphology and porosity of supramolecular complexed polylactide (PLA) microparticles... more Control over morphology and porosity of supramolecular complexed polylactide (PLA) microparticles can be achieved by manipulation of the supramolecular interactions between their constituent polymeric building blocks. It is expected that such modular systems are ideal candidates to serve as degradable delivery carriers. In view of this goal, this study reports about a modular fabrication of biodegradable microparticles from terpyridine (TPy) and bisterpyridine (bisTPy) end-functionalized PLAs that can be transiently extended by chain association through differently strong complexation to three metal cations: Ni(2+) , Co(2+) , or Fe(2+) . Further influence on the morphology of the particles can be exerted by hydrogen-bonding association of enantiomeric l- and d-PLA chains in the form of stereocomplexes. Both effects cause different stabilization of phase-separating TPy and bisTPy PLA micrograins in a process of droplet-based microfluidic particle templating, resulting in different fo...
Materials Letters, 2015
Abstract Monodisperse biodegradable microspheres are excellent candidates to serve as vehicles fo... more Abstract Monodisperse biodegradable microspheres are excellent candidates to serve as vehicles for drug delivery, especially when they are responsive to external stimuli. In this work, such particles are prepared by a droplet-based microfluidic technique from supramolecular complexing polylactides. Both l - and d -polylactides carrying 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) end groups on their chain ends are synthesized and then used in a joint approach of microfluidics and solvent evaporation to fabricate stimuli-responsive PLA particles with controlled sizes of 40–60 μm and monodisperse size distribution. Due to the ability of the enantiomeric polylactides to form stereocomplexes and due to the additional supramolecular UPy binding, the stability of the obtained microspheres is significantly enhanced and sensitive to pH in the acidic regime. To demonstrate the utility of these microparticles for pH-dependent controlled release, a fluorescent dye is encapsulated and its release profiles are shown.
Polymer International, 2015
The discovery of stereocomplexation, secondary interaction between enantiomeric poly(l-lactide) (... more The discovery of stereocomplexation, secondary interaction between enantiomeric poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(d-lactide) (PDLA) provides a method for the creation of novel biomaterials with distinctive chemical and physical stability. Stereocomplexation opens a new way for the preparation of diverse micro- and nanostructures such as uniform microspheres, hollow particles, micelles, nanocrystals, nanofibres, nanotubes and polymerosomes. Herein, we describe the design of stereocomplex assemblies for specific applications and methods for their preparation. This review focuses primarily on the use of stereocomplex assemblies in biomedical applications due to the improved stability and physicochemical properties in comparison to enantiomeric polylactides. To make the polylactide stereocomplexes soluble in water and, as a consequence, to improve compatibility with the human body, various amphiphilic copolymers with PLLA and PDLA enantiomeric segments can be prepared. Stereocomplexation can facilitate their self-assembly into micro- and nanoparticles, stabilize the particle size and morphology and can also have an influence on the in vivo degradation rate and cytotoxicity of these materials. Stimuli-responsiveness in stereocomplex assemblies can be achieved by copolymerization of lactide with, for example, thermoresponsive N-isopropylacrylamide or amino acids with pH-sensitive pendant groups. Stereocomplex micro- and nanoparticles are used for encapsulation of various bioactive compounds: anticancer drugs, antibiotics and proteins. Finally, examples of materials in which high thermal and mechanical stabilities delivered as a result of stereocomplexation play a crucial role, i.e. hydrogels, nanofibres, microcellular foams and artificial skin, are described. The preparation of biomaterials and biomedical systems based on polylactide stereocomplex assemblies opens new opportunities in this field. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry