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Droplets as Cell Models: Chemical Gradient-Induced Directional Filopodia Formation
Sanjana Krishna Mani1, Laurie Lazinski2, Samuel G Birrer1
1Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|October 15, 2025
Summary
Artificial cells mimic cellular behavior by forming filopodia in response to chemical signals. These oil-in-water emulsions demonstrate directed growth, offering insights into life-like material design.
Area of Science:
- Soft Matter Physics
- Chemical Engineering
- Biomimetic Materials
Background:
- Cells exhibit dynamic self-shaping in response to environmental stimuli, forming structures like filopodia.
- Replicating cellular sensing and responsiveness in artificial systems is key to understanding life's origins and developing advanced materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation and directed growth of artificial filopodia in oil-in-water emulsions.
- To engineer artificial systems that mimic cellular environmental sensing and shape-changing capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized oil-in-water emulsions to model cellular responses to chemical cues.
- Analyzed the step-by-step mechanism of artificial filopodia formation driven by interfacial phenomena.
- Engineered directional filopodia growth using chemical gradients from the Hofmeister series and amino acids.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that emulsions form directional, arm-like filopodia in response to external chemical gradients.
- Observed filopodia growth influenced by Hofmeister series anions (away from kosmotropic, toward chaotropic).
- Showed responses to amino acid gradients, with tryptophan attracting growth and lysine/arginine repelling it, mirroring cellular behavior.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully recapitulates cellular sensing and filopodia formation in artificial emulsions.
- Findings provide a mechanistic understanding of directed growth in response to chemical cues.
- Opens possibilities for creating responsive, life-like materials for advanced applications.
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