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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2025

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Published on: April 21, 2021

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.

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Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

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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.