Scalable Synthesis of Planar Macroscopic Lipid-Based Multi-Compartment Structures

Area of Science:

• Biomolecular Engineering
• Synthetic Biology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Evolution of multicellularity enabled complex functions through spatial separation of reactions.
• Mimicking cellular spatial organization is key for creating synthetic cell-like systems.
• Scalable methods are needed for constructing complex biomolecular architectures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile and scalable method for creating multicellular-like, multi-compartment (MC) structures.
• To demonstrate the configurability and potential versatility of these synthetic structures.
• To explore applications in areas like molecular robotics.

Main Methods:

• Aqueous droplet compartments (50-400 μm) were stabilized and connected using hydrophobic layers of phospholipids and emulsifiers.
• Planar, centimeter-scale MC structures were fabricated via droplet deposition on a water interface.
• Spatially controlled deposition was used to achieve specific macroscopic shapes and magnetic heterogeneity (with nanoparticles).

Main Results:

• A scalable method for creating multi-compartment (MC) structures was successfully established.
• Configurable MC assemblies with homogeneous and mixed compartment types were demonstrated.
• Magnetically functionalized MC structures exhibited actuated motion with directional control.

Conclusions:

• The developed method offers a facile and scalable route to synthetic multicellular-like systems.
• These functionalized MC structures show promise for advanced applications, including compartmentally assembled molecular robots.
• The approach facilitates the creation of complex, biomimetic architectures for future technologies.