Pore-Opening Dynamics of Single Nanometer Biovesicles at an Electrified Interface

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Vesicle electroporation at electrified interfaces is key to studying content release.
• Understanding single nanobiovesicle pore-opening dynamics is crucial but previously undisclosed.
• Vesicle Impact Electrochemical Cytometry (VIEC) monitors content transfer processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize single nanobiovesicle pore-opening dynamics during electroporation.
• To investigate the influence of vesicle size and membrane composition on pore formation.
• To provide insights into vesicular content transfer mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous measurement of individual vesicle size and release dynamics.
• Application of a moving mesh-finite element simulation algorithm.
• Reconstruction of pore-opening dynamics for individual vesicles during VIEC.

Main Results:

• Pore expansion times for nanobiovesicles (2.1 ms) are significantly longer than for liposomes (0.18 ms), attributed to membrane proteins.
• A positive correlation exists between maximal pore size and vesicle size.
• The ratio of maximal pore size to vesicle size also shows a size-dependent trend.

Conclusions:

• Electroporation dynamics of individual nanobiovesicles are accurately described.
• Membrane proteins and vesicle size significantly influence pore-opening characteristics.
• This work enables deeper investigation into complex intravesicular content transfer.