Reaction-driven assembly: controlling changes in membrane topology by reaction cycles

Chemical reaction cycles are prototypical examples how to drive systems out of equilibrium and introduce novel, life-like properties into soft-matter systems. We report simulations of amphiphilic molecules in aqueous solution. The molecule's head group is permanently hydrophilic, whereas the reaction cycle switches the molecule's tail from hydrophilic (precursor) to hydrophobic (amphiphile) and vice versa. The reaction cycle leads to an arrest in coalescence and results in uniform vesicle sizes that can be controlled by the reaction rate. Using a continuum description and particle-based simulation, we study the scaling of the vesicle size with the reaction rate. The chemically active vesicles are inflated by precursor, imparting tension onto the membrane and, for specific parameters, stabilize pores.