Tunable and Scalable Fabrication of Block Copolymer-based 3D Polymorphic Artificial Cell Membrane Array

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2022 Mar 11

PMID 35273189

Authors

Dong-Hyun Kang

Won Bae Han

Hyun Il Ryu

Nam Hyuk Kim

Tae Young Kim

Nakwon Choi

Ji Yoon Kang

Yeon Gyu Yu

Tae Song Kim

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Owing to their excellent durability, tunable physical properties, and biofunctionality, block copolymer-based membranes provide a platform for various biotechnological applications. However, conventional approaches for fabricating block copolymer membranes produce only planar or suspended polymersome structures, which limits their utilization. This study is the first to demonstrate that an electric-field-assisted self-assembly technique can allow controllable and scalable fabrication of 3-dimensional block copolymer artificial cell membranes (3DBCPMs) immobilized on predefined locations. Topographically and chemically structured microwell array templates facilitate uniform patterning of block copolymers and serve as reactors for the effective growth of 3DBCPMs. Modulating the concentration of the block copolymer and the amplitude/frequency of the electric field generates 3DBCPMs with diverse shapes, controlled sizes, and high stability (100% survival over 50 days). In vitro protein-membrane assays and mimicking of human intestinal organs highlight the potential of 3DBCPMs for a variety of biological applications such as artificial cells, cell-mimetic biosensors, and bioreactors.

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