Dynamic microcompartmentalization of giant unilamellar vesicles by sol–gel transition and temperature induced shrinking/swelling of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)

Markström, Martin; Gunnarsson, Anders; Orwar, Owe; Jesorka, Aldo

doi:10.1039/b610351k

Cited by 38 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…As a complement, model systems such as NVNs 21,22 may provide fundamental understanding of mechanistic principles, for instance, of transport phenomena 36,90,91 and the regulation of reactions. 92,93 …”

Section: Materials and Methods Of Nanotubular Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercellular nanotubes: insights from imaging studies and beyond

Hurtig

Chiu

Önfelt

2010

WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol

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Cell-cell communication is critical to the development, maintenance, and function of multicellular organisms. Classical mechanisms for intercellular communication include secretion of molecules into the extracellular space and transport of small molecules through gap junctions. Recent reports suggest that cells also can communicate over long distances via a network of transient intercellular nanotubes. Such nanotubes have been shown to mediate intercellular transfer of organelles as well as membrane components and cytoplasmic molecules. Moreover, intercellular nanotubes have been observed in vivo and have been shown to enhance the transmission of pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and prions in vitro. These studies indicate that intercellular nanotubes may play a role both in normal physiology and in disease.

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Section: Materials and Methods Of Nanotubular Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercellular nanotubes: insights from imaging studies and beyond

Hurtig

Chiu

Önfelt

2010

WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol

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“…Biological cells have been used as lipid source for direct network generation, using the same order of steps as in the protocol described above, to maintain the natural membrane composition and preserve the orientation of embedded membrane proteins 17 . The injection of more viscous, gel-forming polymer solutions into networks for the purpose of flow control and subcompartmentalization has also been reported 65,70,71 . The network preparation procedure remains essentially the same, although it requires wider needle openings and microfabricated functional substrates.…”

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Membrane protein integration was demonstrated 64 , as was the interconnection and interaction with biological cells and active surfaces 17,43,44 . Vesicle content control and differentiation 30 , as well as external control of the outside solution composition, provide a large variety of possible chemical environments, and dynamic sub-compartmentalization has opened pathways to more advanced artificial cell models 65 .…”

Section: Applications and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Generation of phospholipid vesicle-nanotube networks and transport of molecules therein

et al. 2011

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We describe micromanipulation and microinjection procedures for the fabrication of soft-matter networks consisting of lipid bilayer nanotubes and surface-immobilized vesicles. these biomimetic membrane systems feature unique structural flexibility and expandability and, unlike solid-state microfluidic and nanofluidic devices prepared by top-down fabrication, they allow network designs with dynamic control over individual containers and interconnecting conduits. the fabrication is founded on self-assembly of phospholipid molecules, followed by micromanipulation operations, such as membrane electroporation and microinjection, to effect shape transformations of the membrane and create a series of interconnected compartments. size and geometry of the network can be chosen according to its desired function. Membrane composition is controlled mainly during the self-assembly step, whereas the interior contents of individual containers is defined through a sequence of microneedle injections. networks cannot be fabricated with other currently available methods of giant unilamellar vesicle preparation (large unilamellar vesicle fusion or electroformation). Described in detail are also three transport modes, which are suitable for moving water-soluble or membranebound small molecules, polymers, Dna, proteins and nanoparticles within the networks. the fabrication protocol requires ~90 min, provided all necessary preparations are made in advance. the transport studies require an additional 60-120 min, depending on the transport regime. 20,29 . Once a needle is inside a GUV, the bilayer tightly seals around the tip. The adhesion of the membrane is typically strong enough to allow the pulling of lipid material from the membrane, thereby instantly forming an open nanoconduit between the vesicle and the capillary. The flexible lipid nanotubes created in this way can be expanded at the needle-connected end by means of positive injection pressure, to an extent that a new vesicle is formed (Fig. 1, stage IV). Constant subsequent injection of fluid from the needle allows the 'daughter' vesicle to grow to a size appropriate for deposition onto the substrate (Fig. 1, stage V). Iteration of this pulling and vesiclegeneration process enables the building of whole networks of interconnected containers, in which size, geometry and individual contents can be controlled. If a new needle with different internal solution is used for the generation of each new vesicle, a network with differentiated contents can be created. The composition of the internal volume of each newly created vesicle is determined by the size ratio of mother and daughter vesicles 30 .As the nanoconduits are open on both ends and thus truly interconnect the individual containers, exchange of internal solution, and chemical compounds dissolved therein, is possible. Different regimes of exchange of matter have been investigated by us. In particular, the transport of small molecules and nanoparticles by diffusion [31][32][33] , by membrane tension-driven (Marangoni) flow 3...

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“…On the contrary, dynamic hydrogel phase transitions as functions of precisely controlled changes in water content in aqueous droplets could serve as useful synthetic models of cytoplasmic organization, and the effects of micro-compartmentalization and crowding on diffusion, transport and reaction kinetics, as well as nucleation and assembly of macromolecular complexes [65][66][67]. A number of groups have described control of water activity in aqueous droplets in microchannels, through integration of aqueous reservoirs in PMDS devices adjacent to the droplets that function as 'osmotic baths' [46,68,69].…”

Section: Confining Biochemical Reactions In Nanoscale Reactorsmentioning

confidence: 99%