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Sequential bottom-up assembly of mechanically stabilized synthetic cells by microfluidics

Compartments for the spatially and temporally controlled assembly of biological processes are essential towards cellular life. Synthetic mimics of cellular compartments based on lipid-based protocells lack the mechanical and chemical stability to allow their manipulation into a complex and fully fun...

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Main Authors: Weiss, Marian (Author) , Frohnmayer, Johannes (Author) , Benk, Lucia Theresa (Author) , Haller, Barbara (Author) , Janiesch, Jan-Willi (Author) , Platzman, Ilia (Author) , Spatz, Joachim P. (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 01 January 2018
In: Nature materials
Year: 2018, Volume: 17, Issue: 1, Pages: 89-96
ISSN:1476-4660
DOI:10.1038/nmat5005
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat5005
Verlag, Volltext: https://www.nature.com/articles/nmat5005
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Author Notes:Marian Weiss, Johannes Patrick Frohnmayer, Lucia Theresa Benk, Barbara Haller, Jan-Willi Janiesch, Thomas Heitkamp, Michael Börsch, Rafael B. Lira, Rumiana Dimova, Reinhard Lipowsky, Eberhard Bodenschatz, Jean-Christophe Baret, Tanja Vidakovic-Koch, Kai Sundmacher, Ilia Platzman, Joachim P. Spatz
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Summary:Compartments for the spatially and temporally controlled assembly of biological processes are essential towards cellular life. Synthetic mimics of cellular compartments based on lipid-based protocells lack the mechanical and chemical stability to allow their manipulation into a complex and fully functional synthetic cell. Here, we present a high-throughput microfluidic method to generate stable, defined sized liposomes termed ‘droplet-stabilized giant unilamellar vesicles (dsGUVs)’. The enhanced stability of dsGUVs enables the sequential loading of these compartments with biomolecules, namely purified transmembrane and cytoskeleton proteins by microfluidic pico-injection technology. This constitutes an experimental demonstration of a successful bottom-up assembly of a compartment with contents that would not self-assemble to full functionality when simply mixed together. Following assembly, the stabilizing oil phase and droplet shells are removed to release functional self-supporting protocells to an aqueous phase, enabling them to interact with physiologically relevant matrices.
Item Description:Published: 16 October 2017
Gesehen am 26.11.2018
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1476-4660
DOI:10.1038/nmat5005

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