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Updated: May 27, 2026

Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration
Published on: May 26, 2016
Engineering Polymersome Protocells
Neha P Kamat1, Joshua S Katz, Daniel A Hammer
1Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 240 Skirkanich Hall, Philadelphia PA 19104.
Abstract:
The field of biomimicry is embracing the construction of complex assemblies that imitate both biological structure and function. Advancements in the design of these mimetics have generated a growing vision for creating an artificial or proto- cell. Polymersomes are vesicles that can be made from synthetic, biological or hybrid polymers and can be used as a model template to build cell-like structures. In this perspective, we discuss various areas where polymersomes have been used to mimic cell functions as well as areas in which the synthetic flexibility of polymersomes would make them ideal candidates for a biomembrane mimetic. Designing a polymersome that comprehensively displays the behaviors discussed herein has the potential to lead to the development of an autonomous, responsive particle that resembles the intelligence of a biological cell.
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