Cellular mimics engineered from diblock copolymers

Bohdana M. Discher, You Yeon Won, David S. Ege, James C M Lee, Frank S. Bates, Dennis E. Discher, Daniel A. Hammer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cell-size vesicles were made from amphiphilic diblock copolymers and characterized by micromanipulation. The average molecular weight of the base, synthetic polymer studied here, polyethyleneoxide-polyethylethylene (EO40-EE37), is several-fold greater than that of usual phospholipids of biomembranes. Both the membrane bending and area expansion moduli of electroformed polymersomes (polymer-based liposomes) fell within the range of lipid membrane measurements, but the giant polymersome's membrane proved to be almost an order of magnitude tougher, sustaining far greater areal strain before rupture. The polymersome membrane was also at least tenfold less permeable to water than common phospholipid bilayers. A rich range of vesicle shapes, as well as encapsulation of oxygen-binding proteins, and capabilities to mix the polymer with other amphiphiles and crosslink it, all suggest a new class of functional, biomimetic capsules based on block copolymer chemistry.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings
PublisherIEEE
Number of pages1
ISBN (Print)0780356756
StatePublished - Dec 1 1999
EventProceedings of the 1999 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology 21st Annual Conference and the 1999 Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society (1st Joint BMES / EMBS) - Atlanta, GA, USA
Duration: Oct 13 1999Oct 16 1999

Publication series

NameAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings
Volume1
ISSN (Print)0589-1019

Other

OtherProceedings of the 1999 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology 21st Annual Conference and the 1999 Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society (1st Joint BMES / EMBS)
CityAtlanta, GA, USA
Period10/13/9910/16/99

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