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Updated: Jun 30, 2025
06:01
Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure
Published on: April 21, 2021
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Controlled node growth on the surface of polymersomes
Marjolaine Thomas1, Spyridon Varlas1, Thomas R Wilks1
1School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK s.fielden@bham.ac.uk r.oreilly@bham.ac.uk.
Chemical Science
|March 22, 2024
Summary
Synthetic polymers functionalized with nucleobases enable controlled self-assembly. Nucleobase pairing directed the formation and growth of surface nodes on polymersomes, creating novel nanomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Nucleobase incorporation into synthetic polymers facilitates controlled self-assembly through hydrogen bonding.
- This approach allows for the creation of complex particle morphologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To utilize nucleobase pairing to direct the formation and growth of surface nodes on polymersomes.
- To investigate the mechanism of node formation driven by steric crowding.
Main Methods:
- Functionalizing polymersomes with adenine in membrane-forming domains.
- Inserting self-assembling diblock copolymers containing thymine into polymersome membranes.
- Imaging nano-objects using cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) for quantification.
Main Results:
- Nucleobase pairing (adenine-thymine) successfully directed node formation and lengthening on polymersome surfaces.
- Insertion of thymine-containing copolymers induced steric crowding, leading to node initiation and growth.
- Cryo-TEM enabled quantification of node coverage and length, demonstrating control over growth.
Conclusions:
- Nucleobase pairing is an effective strategy for controlling the growth of surface features on polymersomes.
- This method offers a new platform for developing higher-order nanomaterials with tunable properties.
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