Bottom-up synthetic cells reduce the complexity of native cells and offer simplified views on cellular processes. Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are micrometer-sized vesicles that are used in this context because of their size similarity to cells. Using amphiphilic block copolymers as building blocks for artificial membranes allows for precise control over membrane composition and thickness with increased stability when compared to lipidic membranes. Double-emulsion microfluidics enables the high-throughput production of monodisperse GUVs with controllable cargo, polymer membrane structure, and membrane functionalization. GUVs can be applied for screening assays using high-throughput methodologies primarily designed for cells. By adjusting the inner composition, enzyme cascades, smaller vesicles, organelles, and entire living organisms can be encapsulated within GUVs.<br/><br/>In the work presented, GUVs with impermeable membranes were produced using PDMS-b-PMOXA diblock and PMOXA-b-PDMS-b-PMOXA triblock copolymers. By inserting outer membrane porin F (OmpF) or the pore-forming peptide melittin into the synthetic membrane, GUVs can be selectively permeabilized. This enables their use as catalytic micro-compartments or cellular models. This approach shows the versatility of double-emulsion templated polymer GUVs for studying compartmentalized biological systems, deepening insights into fundamental biological processes.

Polymer GUVs applied as bottom-up synthetic cells

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ACS Fall 2022

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