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A Generalized System for Photo-Responsive Membrane Rupture in Polymersomes.

Neha P Kamat¹, Gregory P Robbins, Jeffrey S Rawson

¹Departments of Bioengineering and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (USA).

Advanced Functional Materials

|June 29, 2011

Summary

Photo-responsive polymersomes were created using dextran, a simple polysaccharide. Structural changes enhance their sensitivity, enabling controlled release applications without chemical modification.

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Area of Science:

Polymer Science
Materials Science
Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

Polymersomes are self-assembled block co-polymer vesicles.
Previous work demonstrated photo-lability by co-encapsulating porphyrin dyes and ferritin protein.
This study extends photo-lability to vesicles containing dextran.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the photo-response of polymersomes containing dextran.
To explore how structural features influence the photo-lability of these composite vesicles.
To establish a general method for creating photo-sensitive carriers.

Main Methods:

Synthesized polymersomes with varying dextran molecular weights and block copolymer lengths.
Investigated the effect of fluorophore-membrane interactions on photo-response.
Analyzed the structural and thermal properties influencing membrane rupture.

Main Results:

Photo-lability was successfully imparted to polymersomes containing dextran.
Increased dextran molecular weight and decreased block copolymer molecular weight enhanced photo-responsiveness.
Amphiphilic interactions and localized heating were identified as key mechanisms for membrane rupture.

Conclusions:

Polymersome photo-responsiveness can be achieved using bio-inert dextran without chemical modification.
Structural parameters offer a tunable approach to control photo-sensitivity.
This method provides a versatile platform for developing photo-sensitive carriers for controlled release.