A spatially segregative coacervate-in-proteinosome hybrid microcompartment is constructed by co-encapsulation of either positively or negatively charged polyelectrolytes within proteinosomes with enhanced cascade enzymatic reaction, providing a step towards the development...
In recent years, developing artificial cells of higher complexity has emerged as a key to simulate advanced life behaviors, among which coacervate microdroplets are a promising kind of model artificial...
Cell surface engineering is an effective strategy to
improve the
tolerance of living cells against harsh environments as well as endow
cells with various properties and functionalities, which they do not
possess inherently. However, the research emphasis on single-cell
surface engineering with the emergence of collective functionality
is still rare. In this study, we encapsulate a single living cell
with TiO2 nanoparticles (Degussa P25, composed of anatase
and rutile crystallites) and conductive polymer polypyrrole (PPy).
The driving force generated from the nanoparticles TiO2 and PPy could be utilized to manipulate cells that are more than
a hundred times their own body size. Different collective behaviors
of unicellular organisms can be achieved under various conditions.
Especially, the engineered cells could be endowed with a swarming
negative phototaxis migration under UV light in the presence of ferrocene
methanol (MFc). Given that the collective behaviors of organismic
swarms can greatly improve the adaptability and survivability compared
to individual ones, we thus anticipate that such a studied technique
could open up opportunities for the manipulation of the collective
behaviors of unicellular organisms and have great potential in cell
therapy as well as biosensors.
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