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- Title
Manipulation of encapsulated artificial phospholipid membranes using sub-micellar lysolipid concentrations.
- Authors
Dimitriou, Pantelitsa; Li, Jin; Jamieson, William David; Schneider, Johannes Josef; Castell, Oliver Kieran; Barrow, David Anthony
- Abstract
Droplet Interface Bilayers (DIBs) constitute a commonly used model of artificial membranes for synthetic biology research applications. However, their practical use is often limited by their requirement to be surrounded by oil. Here we demonstrate in-situ bilayer manipulation of submillimeter, hydrogel-encapsulated droplet interface bilayers (eDIBs). Monolithic, Cyclic Olefin Copolymer/Nylon 3D-printed microfluidic devices facilitated the eDIB formation through high-order emulsification. By exposing the eDIB capsules to varying lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) concentrations, we investigated the interaction of lysolipids with three-dimensional DIB networks. Micellar LPC concentrations triggered the bursting of encapsulated droplet networks, while at lower concentrations the droplet network endured structural changes, precisely affecting the membrane dimensions. This chemically-mediated manipulation of enclosed, 3D-orchestrated membrane mimics, facilitates the exploration of readily accessible compartmentalized artificial cellular machinery. Collectively, the droplet-based construct can pose as a chemically responsive soft material for studying membrane mechanics, and drug delivery, by controlling the cargo release from artificial cell chassis. Droplet interface bilayers can be used as a model of artificial membranes for synthetic biology and drug delivery applications, however, their accessibility using non-invasive techniques remains challenging. Here, the authors develop an in-situ bilayer manipulation of encapsulated droplet interface bilayers in hydrogel capsules, generated by high-order emulsification in monolithic 3D-printed microfluidic devices.
- Subjects
ARTIFICIAL membranes; MICELLAR solutions; BIOLOGICAL membranes; MICROFLUIDIC devices; BILAYERS (Solid state physics); ARTIFICIAL cells
- Publication
Communications Chemistry, 2024, Vol 7, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2399-3669
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s42004-024-01209-z