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Pulsating Polymer Micelles via ATP-Fueled Dissipative Self-Assembly
Xiang Hao1, Wei Sang1, Jun Hu2
1State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
ACS Macro Letters
|June 2, 2022
Summary
Researchers created life-like polymer micelles that pulsate periodically using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy. This energy-dissipative self-assembly mimics biological dynamics and offers potential for drug delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomimetic chemistry
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Polymer science
Background:
- Dynamic behaviors in living systems are driven by energy dissipation.
- Replicating these energy-dissipative processes in vitro remains a significant challenge.
- Understanding these principles is crucial for developing artificial life-like systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an in vitro system that mimics biological energy dissipation for dynamic behavior.
- To create a self-assembling polymer micellar system capable of pulsating motion.
- To explore the use of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as an energy source for artificial systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an energy-dissipative self-assembly pathway.
- Engineered polymer micelles capable of periodic and self-adaptive pulsating motion.
- Fueled the system using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as the energy currency.
Main Results:
- Achieved life-like polymer micellar systems exhibiting periodic expansion-contraction behavior.
- Demonstrated that pulsating motion is sustained by transient supramolecular interactions with ATP.
- Showcased that ATP levels can control the rhythm and amplitude of nanoparticulate pulsation.
- The system operates out-of-thermodynamic equilibrium, driven by ATP capture and hydrolysis.
Conclusions:
- The man-made assemblies serve as a model for biologically time-dependent self-assembly.
- The pulsating micelles can function as periodic nanocarriers for programmed drug delivery.
- This work bridges the gap between synthetic materials and dynamic biological processes.
