Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are useful <i>in vitro</i> models for biophysical experiments.  We had recently reported that cellulose paper and fabric promotes the vesiculation of lamellar phospholipid stacks to form GUVs. The cellulose-abetted method rapidly produced GUVs with a variety of lipid types in a simple power-free format. Despite these advantages, quantitative analysis showed that GUV sizes were typically limited to below 20 micrometers.  For some applications in synthetic biology, GUVs with sizes larger than 50 micrometers are desirable. Here we demonstrate that smooth nanocellulose and regenerated cellulose substrates produces GUVs from lamellar phospholipid stacks.  GUVs of larger diameters were obtained on the nanostructured surfaces due to the increased merging of the GUV buds on the surface.  Super giant vesicles with diameters &gt; 100 micrometers were regularly obtained.  The use of nanostructured surfaces increased yields of GUVs compared to cellulose paper and fabric. The yield of GUVs from the nanostructured surfaces was higher than the yield of GUVs obtained through electroformation. Thus, this method shows promise as a means for the sustainable fabrication of GUVs at the laboratory scale and larger.<br/>

Growing supergiant liposomes on nanocellulose paper and regenerated cellulose membranes

2019 Spring National Meeting

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