Matrix metalloproteinase responsive hydrogel microplates for programmed killing of invasive tumour cells

Abstract

Hydrogel microplates are formed through photoinitiated thiol–ene chemistry in a soft-lithography process, leading to enzyme responsive drug nanoparticle release to MMP-2/9 expressing brain cancer cell line U87-MG.

Tuning of Cationic Polymer Functionality in Complex Coacervate Artificial Cells for Optimized Enzyme Activity

“…Artificial cell research is beginning to uncover new insights in how complex natural cells function, by combining the fields of synthetic biology, macromolecular chemistry, and nanotechnology to engineer cell-like environments with functional bio molecular components . For example, polymer conjugates and lipid-based giant unilamellar vesicles have been employed to create cell-like compartments able to carry out protein translation, , enzymatic cascades, or DNA network reactions. − Water-in-oil droplets and soft hydrogel microparticles, both membrane-bound and membrane free, have also shown to be promising systems to mimic cell behavior. − An interesting class of artificial cells is based on complex coacervates, which have been compared to prebiological reactive compartments since the early 1900s . Complex coacervates are formed when charged molecules, and to a larger extent macromolecules, spontaneously form liquid condensates through associative processes.…”

“… 6 − 8 Water-in-oil droplets and soft hydrogel microparticles, both membrane-bound and membrane free, have also shown to be promising systems to mimic cell behavior. 9 − 11 An interesting class of artificial cells is based on complex coacervates, which have been compared to prebiological reactive compartments since the early 1900s. 12 Complex coacervates are formed when charged molecules, and to a larger extent macromolecules, spontaneously form liquid condensates through associative processes.…”