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Poly(l-lysine)-Coated Liquid Crystal Droplets for Cell-Based Sensing Applications
Sumyra Sidiq1, G V R Krishna Prasad1, Arunika Mukhopadhaya1
1Department of Chemical Sciences and §Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali (IISERM) , Knowledge City, Sector-81, SAS Nagar, Mohali 140306, India.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|March 7, 2017
Summary
We developed biocompatible liquid crystal (LC) droplets using poly(l-lysine) (PLL) to detect cells and monitor their interactions. These responsive droplets also report on cell health by detecting Annexin V-phosphatidylserine interactions.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Intermolecular interactions between biomolecules and liquid crystals (LCs) are key to developing novel biosensors.
- Current methods struggle to directly probe protein-LC interactions in aqueous media for cellular applications.
- Mimicking cellular-level chemico-biological interactions with LCs remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel method for creating biocompatible LC droplets.
- To enable in situ reporting of cell presence and real-time cell-environment interactions.
- To utilize these droplets for monitoring cell health via specific biomolecular interactions.
Main Methods:
- Production of biocompatible LC droplets via poly(l-lysine) (PLL) and LC interactions.
- Utilizing topological defects within LC droplets to report cellular activity.
- Employing responsive PLL droplets as a template to detect Annexin V-phosphatidylserine interactions.
Main Results:
- Successfully produced biocompatible LC droplets capable of reporting cell presence.
- Demonstrated real-time monitoring of cell-environment interactions mediated by droplet defects.
- Showcased the utility of PLL droplets in measuring Annexin V-phosphatidylserine interactions as an indicator of cell health.
Conclusions:
- A simple and effective method for creating biocompatible LC droplets for biosensing applications.
- These LC droplets offer a new avenue for optically probing biological phenomena and cellular health.
- The developed system provides a facile way to assess cell health and interactions in real-time.
