am7b05800_si_002.avi (147.54 kB)
AWE-somes: All Water Emulsion Bodies with Permeable Shells and Selective Compartments
media
posted on 2017-06-30, 00:00 authored by Sarah D. Hann, Kathleen J. Stebe, Daeyeon LeeLiving
cells exploit compartmentalization within organelles to spatially
and temporally control reactions and pathways. Here, we use the all
aqueous two phase system (ATPS) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and
dextran to develop all water emulsion bodies, AWE-somes, a new class
of encapsulated double emulsions as potential cell mimics. AWE-somes
feature rigid polyelectrolyte (PE)/nanoparticle (NP) shells and double
emulsion interiors. The shells form via complexation of PE and NP
at interfaces of ATPS. The NPs, excluded from the drop phase, create
an osmotic stress imbalance that removes water from the encapsulated
phase and draws droplets of external PEG phase into the shells to
form the double emulsion interior. We demonstrate that molecules can
permeate the AWE-some shells, selectively partition into the internal
droplets, and undergo reaction. AWE-somes have significant potential
for creating functional, biocompatible protocell systems.