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Updated: Sep 11, 2025

Capillary-based Centrifugal Microfluidic Device for Size-controllable Formation of Monodisperse Microdroplets
Published on: February 22, 2016
Water Dynamics in the Formation of Single-Component-Based Multiphasic Droplets
Laicheng Zhou1, Liheng Lu1, Yang Zhang1
1Department of Chemistry, Westlake University, No. 600 Yungu Road, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang, China.
Abstract:
Despite the significant presence of water in the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomolecular condensates, its critical role beyond the solvent effects has been largely overlooked. In this study, we investigate the synergistic effects of water on modulating the substructure and properties of biomolecular condensates. We designed and synthesized a series of peptide-based droplets with varying microstructures. Utilizing in situ Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, we elucidate how an increased hydrogen bonding network between the peptide and water, coupled with a decreased hydrogen bonding network among peptides, drives the transition from multiphasic to homogeneous configurations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this transformation can be dynamically regulated by adjusting peptide-water interactions through the application of Chaotropic and Kosmotropic agents. Our findings underscore the essential role of hydration water in the LLPS of single-component systems, paving the way for innovative strategies in the design and modulation of advanced hydrated materials.
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