A sustainable self-reproducing liposome consisting of a synthetic phospholipid

A novel phosphoric membrane lipid (phospholipid) bearing an oleyl group as one of the hydrophobic chains formed a liposome with a thin lamella in water. Since the anionic membrane of pre-existing liposomes acted as a catalytic surface in phosphate buffer, membrane lipids could be generated from their precursor in an autocatalytic manner without the inclusion of catalytic amphiphiles in the liposome. The morphological changes of this anionic liposome were monitored both by flow cytometry and optical microscopy, and it was found that the liposomes deformed into a budding shape, followed by division, after the addition of a membrane precursor. Hence, this anionic monocomponent liposome could be regarded as a sustainable self-reproducing system. This liposome was also able to provide a reaction cavity for enzymatic reactions, such as DNA amplification by a polymerase chain reaction.