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Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration
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Giant Biodegradable Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-Poly(ε-caprolactone) Polymersomes by Electroformation
Cleiton Kunzler1,2, Stephan Handschuh-Wang1, Manuel Roesener1
1Physical Chemistry I and Research Center of Micro and Nanochemistry and Engineering (Cµ), Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, Siegen, 57076, Germany.
Macromolecular Bioscience
|May 5, 2020
Summary
Giant enzyme-degradable polymersomes were formed using electroformation. This method optimizes block copolymer (BCP) vesicle size for enhanced protease detection and triggered release applications in bacterial infections.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) polymersomes are suitable for bacterial protease detection.
- Maximizing polymersome size is crucial for efficient protease-mediated cargo release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify physical-chemical properties of block copolymers (BCPs) for electroformation of giant polymersomes.
- To characterize the morphology and internal structure of these polymersomes.
- To investigate the encapsulation efficiency of dyes within the polymersomes.
Main Methods:
- Electroformation of polymersomes.
- Confocal laser scanning microscopy for visualization.
- Time-correlated single-photon counting for nanoenvironment analysis.
- Fluorescence decay curve analysis.
Main Results:
- Giant, enzyme-degradable polymersomes were successfully formed via electroformation.
- Confocal microscopy confirmed vesicular structures and dye encapsulation.
- Time-correlated single-photon counting verified the hollow core structure.
Conclusions:
- Electroformation enables the creation of large, functional polymersomes.
- These polymersomes are promising for triggered release of signaling molecules or antimicrobials.
- Potential applications include bacterial infection diagnostics and treatment.
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