Chengfei Liu, Yifan Jin, Jiahui Ma, Wei Tian*, Huaping Xu*
Chinese J. Polym. Sci.; 2025, 10.1007/s10118-025-3341-7
Intracellular polymerization is an emerging field, showcasing high diversity and efficiency of chemistry. Motivated by the principles of natural biomolecular synthesis, polymerization within living cells is believed to be a powerful and versatile tool to modulate cell behavior. In this review, we summarized recent advances and future trends in the field of intracellular polymerization, specifically focusing on covalent and supramolecular polymerization. This discussion comprehensively covers the diverse chemical designs, reaction mechanisms, responsive features, and functional applications. Furthermore, we also clarified the connection between preliminary design of polymer synthesis and their subsequent biological applications. We hope this review will serve as an innovative platform for chemists and biologists to regulate biological functions in practical applications and clinical trials.
