SupraCells: Living Mammalian Cells Protected within Functional Modular Nanoparticle-Based Exoskeletons

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Mammalian cells require protection and functionalization for advanced applications.
• Existing methods for cell encapsulation can be slow and inefficient.
• Abiotic materials offer unique properties for cellular enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce SupraCells: living mammalian cells within functional nanoparticle exoskeletons.
• To demonstrate a rapid method for creating these hybrid cellular materials.
• To explore the new properties and functionalities imparted to the cells.

Main Methods:

• Developing rapid nanoparticle-based exoskeletons via immediate interparticle and cell/particle complexation.
• Utilizing diverse nanoparticle types and various mammalian cell lines.
• Characterizing the induced spore-like state and resulting cellular properties.

Main Results:

• SupraCell formation is rapid (seconds) and generalizable across cell and nanoparticle types.
• Encapsulated cells exhibit extremophile resistance (osmotic stress, ROS, pH, UV) and abiotic traits (magnetism, conductivity, multifluorescence).
• Macropinocytotic and endocytotic nanoparticle uptake pathways are abolished during SupraCell formation.

Conclusions:

• SupraCells represent a novel class of living hybrid materials.
• This technology enables enhanced cell protection and imparts new functionalities.
• SupraCells have broad potential applications in cell-based sensing and synthetic biology.