Cosurfactant-Induced Disorder in Polymersome Membrane Enhances Diffusion of Cargo Molecules

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Giant polymersomes mimic natural cells but have limited membrane permeability, hindering applications.
• Key applications include drug delivery and bioreactors, which require controlled substance exchange.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a microfluidic method for fabricating polymersomes with enhanced membrane permeability.
• To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying permeability changes in polymersome membranes.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of polymersomes using a microfluidic approach with PB-b-PEO and oleyl alcohol.
• Utilizing advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to analyze membrane structure and dynamics.

Main Results:

• Incorporation of oleyl alcohol as a cosurfactant induced disorder in polymer packing, increasing membrane permeability.
• NMR spectroscopy revealed membrane heterogeneity and differences in lateral mobility compared to tightly packed polymersomes.
• Demonstrated a direct correlation between formulation, membrane structure, and permeability.

Conclusions:

• Subtle changes in polymersome formulation significantly impact membrane structure and function.
• The study provides a molecular basis for designing polymersomes with tunable permeability for specific applications.
• This work advances the development of artificial cells for enhanced drug delivery and bioreactor systems.