Abstract:The geometry of reaction compartments can affect the outcome of chemical reactions.Synthetic biology commonly uses giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) to generate cell-sized, membrane-bound reaction compartments. However, these liposomes are always spherical due to surface area minimization. Here, we have developed a microfluidic chip to trap and reversibly deform GUVs into rod-or cigar-like shapes, including a constriction site in the trap mimicking the membrane furrow in cell division. When we introduce into t… Show more
“…Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV's) have been the model of choice to control and mimic such cellular membrane shapes for bottom-up biology applications, including understanding the localization properties of proteins [6]. Previous studies on curvature-protein-induced deformation in synthetic cells have been predominantly reported in lipid mixtures that remotely mimic cellular membranes [7][8][9]. Local spontaneous curvature is also generated by an asymmetry of ions and macromolecules apart from proteins across membranes, inducing shape changes, which have been described mainly in simple lipid vesicles [10][11][12][13].…”
“…Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV's) have been the model of choice to control and mimic such cellular membrane shapes for bottom-up biology applications, including understanding the localization properties of proteins [6]. Previous studies on curvature-protein-induced deformation in synthetic cells have been predominantly reported in lipid mixtures that remotely mimic cellular membranes [7][8][9]. Local spontaneous curvature is also generated by an asymmetry of ions and macromolecules apart from proteins across membranes, inducing shape changes, which have been described mainly in simple lipid vesicles [10][11][12][13].…”
“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] They are widely used as cell models (protocells) 9,10 and in studies in which the ultimate aim is to create artificial life. [10][11][12][13][14][15] As a result, many methods have been developed for their production and for encapsulating materials within them. [16][17][18][19][20][21] None of these methods are wholly problem-free 22 but microfluidic approaches probably offer most control.…”
We describe a modified microfluidic method for making Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) via water/octanol-lipid/water double emulsion droplets and encapsulation of nematic lyotropic liquid crystals (LNLCs).
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