Bioinspired single‐chain polymer nanoparticles

Polymer chains can be folded/collapsed to individual, single‐chain polymer nanoparticles ( SCNPs ) by means of intrachain crosslinking techniques. In some ways, SCNP formation is reminiscent of protein folding although current synthetic methods lack the perfection of protein folding to functional enzymes. However, in recent years the structure − function paradigm (i.e. amino acid sequence → 3D structure → function) has been revisited by taking into account that many non‐structured segments of proteins, and even totally disordered proteins, play important roles in protein function. In this perspective article, we highlight the significant added value that is endowed to SCNPs by taking inspiration from the functions of both ordered and disordered proteins.