Self-assembly of designer biosurfactants

Programmable interactions with biomimetic DNA linkers at fluid membranes and interfaces

“…Besides their use as membrane-tethered linkers, hydrophobised DNA strands or constructs are utilised in several other contexts of DNA nanotechnology [73], e.g. to produce tailorable micelle-like aggregates for cargo capture and delivery [74,75], to aid self-assembly of macromolecular crystals [76][77][78], to membrane-anchor bulkier nanos-tructures based on DNA origami [73,79,80] and trans-membrane channels [80][81][82], or to template the growth of nanoparticles [83]. Multi-step functionalisation protocols relying on biotin-streptavidin labelling have also been developed, in which both lipids and DNA oligomers carry a biotin moiety, and biotin mediates bridging between the two [84,85].…”

Application of nucleic acid–lipid conjugates for the programmable organisation of liposomal modules

“…The majority of these approaches involve the synthesis of nucleic acids with hydrophobic modification(s) resulting in surfactant molecules that spontaneously insert into amphiphile aggregate structures. Here we will primarily consider their structures and physical properties; details of their synthesis have been reviewed elsewhere [43,44].…”

Nanoemulsions: Formulation, characterization, biological fate, and potential role against COVID-19 and other viral outbreaks

“…Self-assembly is a unique feature of biosurfactants that allows spontaneous adsorption, integration, and arrangement at O/W NEs interfaces. The interfacial activities of self-assembling biosurfactants are governed by hydrophobicity, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals forces [ 76 ]. Peptides and proteins are a major class of biosurfactants that are found naturally or produced artificially with bioengineering.…”