Manipulation of encapsulated artificial phospholipid membranes using sub-micellar lysolipid concentrations

Dimitriou, Pantelitsa, Li, Jin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4672-6806, Jamieson, William David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8260-5211, Schneider, Johannes Josef, Castell, Oliver Kieran ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6059-8062 and Barrow, David Anthony ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2096-7262 2024. Manipulation of encapsulated artificial phospholipid membranes using sub-micellar lysolipid concentrations. Communications Chemistry 7 (1) , 120. 10.1038/s42004-024-01209-z

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Abstract

Droplet Interface Bilayers (DIBs) constitute a commonly used model of artificial membranes for synthetic biology research applications. However, their practical use is often limited by their requirement to be surrounded by oil. Here we demonstrate in-situ bilayer manipulation of submillimeter, hydrogel-encapsulated droplet interface bilayers (eDIBs). Monolithic, Cyclic Olefin Copolymer/Nylon 3D-printed microfluidic devices facilitated the eDIB formation through high-order emulsification. By exposing the eDIB capsules to varying lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) concentrations, we investigated the interaction of lysolipids with three-dimensional DIB networks. Micellar LPC concentrations triggered the bursting of encapsulated droplet networks, while at lower concentrations the droplet network endured structural changes, precisely affecting the membrane dimensions. This chemically-mediated manipulation of enclosed, 3D-orchestrated membrane mimics, facilitates the exploration of readily accessible compartmentalized artificial cellular machinery. Collectively, the droplet-based construct can pose as a chemically responsive soft material for studying membrane mechanics, and drug delivery, by controlling the cargo release from artificial cell chassis.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Engineering Pharmacy
Publisher:	Nature Research
ISSN:	2399-3669
Funders:	EU
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	3 June 2024
Date of Acceptance:	24 May 2024
Last Modified:	18 Jun 2024 11:36
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/169370

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