A microfluidic platform for the synthesis of polymer and polymer-protein-based protocells

TY - JOUR

T1 - A microfluidic platform for the synthesis of polymer and polymer-protein-based protocells

AU - O’Callaghan, Jessica Ann

AU - Kamat, Neha P.

AU - Vargo, Kevin B.

AU - Chattaraj, Rajarshi

AU - Lee, Daeyeon

AU - Hammer, Daniel A.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024.

PY - 2024/6

Y1 - 2024/6

N2 - Abstract: In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of polymersomes, protein-blended polymersomes, and polymeric microcapsules using droplet microfluidics. Polymersomes with uniform, single bilayers and controlled diameters are assembled from water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion droplets. This technique relies on adjusting the interfacial energies of the droplet to completely separate the polymer-stabilized inner core from the oil shell. Protein-blended polymersomes are prepared by dissolving protein in the inner and outer phases of polymer-stabilized droplets. Cell-sized polymeric microcapsules are assembled by size reduction in the inner core through osmosis followed by evaporation of the middle phase. All methods are developed and validated using the same glass-capillary microfluidic apparatus. This integrative approach not only demonstrates the versatility of our setup, but also holds significant promise for standardizing and customizing the production of polymer-based artificial cells. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)

AB - Abstract: In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of polymersomes, protein-blended polymersomes, and polymeric microcapsules using droplet microfluidics. Polymersomes with uniform, single bilayers and controlled diameters are assembled from water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion droplets. This technique relies on adjusting the interfacial energies of the droplet to completely separate the polymer-stabilized inner core from the oil shell. Protein-blended polymersomes are prepared by dissolving protein in the inner and outer phases of polymer-stabilized droplets. Cell-sized polymeric microcapsules are assembled by size reduction in the inner core through osmosis followed by evaporation of the middle phase. All methods are developed and validated using the same glass-capillary microfluidic apparatus. This integrative approach not only demonstrates the versatility of our setup, but also holds significant promise for standardizing and customizing the production of polymer-based artificial cells. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)

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U2 - 10.1140/epje/s10189-024-00428-5

DO - 10.1140/epje/s10189-024-00428-5

M3 - Article

C2 - 38829453

SN - 1292-8941

VL - 47

JO - European Physical Journal E

JF - European Physical Journal E

IS - 6

M1 - 37

ER -