posted on 2017-10-05, 00:00authored byTakafumi Enomoto, Roberto J. Brea, Ahanjit Bhattacharya, Neal K. Devaraj
A major goal of synthetic biology
is the development of rational methodologies to construct self-assembling
non-natural membranes, which could enable the efficient fabrication
of artificial cellular systems from purely synthetic components. However,
spatiotemporal control of artificial membrane formation remains both
challenging and limited in scope. Here, we describe a new methodology
to promote biomimetic phospholipid membrane formation by the photochemical
activation of a catalyst-sensitizer dyad via an intramolecular photoinduced
electron-transfer process. Our results offer future opportunities
to exert spatiotemporal control over artificial cellular constructs.