Multicompartmentalized polymersomes are formed using block co-polymers PMOXA-PDMS-PMOXA and PS-PIAT, and are subsequently proven to be capable of selective encapsulation of biomacromolecules. This architecture mimics the compartmentalization found in cells and may serve as a simple, albeit robust, model system.

The dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2), a G-protein coupled receptor is expressed into PBd(22)-PEO(13) and PMOXA(20)-PDMS(54)-PMOXA(20) block copolymer vesicles. The conformational integrity of the receptor is confirmed by antibody- and ligand-binding assays. Replacement of bound dopamine is demonstrated on surface-immobilized polymersomes, thus making this a promising platform for drug screening.

Submicrometer, porous polymeric vesicles, composed of an amphiphilic di‐block copolymer, polystyrene‐b‐polyisocyanoalanine (2‐thiophene‐3‐yl‐ethyl) amide, are used to encapsulate an enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, and a fluorescent reporter polymer poly 1(3((4methylthiophen‐3‐yl)oxy) propyl) quinuclidin‐1‐ium. Passive diffusion of exogenously added adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through the membrane was sensed by monitoring the ATP‐induced fluorescence quenching of the reporter polymer followed by partial recovery of its emission due to hydrolysis of reporter‐bound ATP by alkaline phosphatase.