1
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Zhu S, Cui H, Pan Y, Popple D, Xie G, Fink Z, Han J, Zettl A, Cheung Shum H, Russell TP. Responsive-Hydrogel Aquabots. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2401215. [PMID: 39075829 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202401215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
It remains a challenge to produce soft robots that can mimic the responsive adaptability of living organisms. Rather than fabricating soft robots from bulk hydrogels,hydrogels are integrated into the interfacial assembly of aqueous two-phase systems to generate ultra-soft and elastic all-aqueous aquabots that exhibit responsive adaptability, that can shrink on demand and have electrically conductive functions. The adaptive functions of the aquabots provide a new platform to develop minimally invasive surgical devices, targeted drug delivery systems, and flexible electronic sensors and actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipei Zhu
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Huanqing Cui
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Yi Pan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Derek Popple
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Physics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ganhua Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Zachary Fink
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Jiale Han
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Alex Zettl
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Physics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), 999077, P. R. China
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
- Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan
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2
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Gonçalves RC, Oliveira MB, Mano JF. Exploring the potential of all-aqueous immiscible systems for preparing complex biomaterials and cellular constructs. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024. [PMID: 39010747 DOI: 10.1039/d4mh00431k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
All-aqueous immiscible systems derived from liquid-liquid phase separation of incompatible hydrophilic agents such as polymers and salts have found increasing interest in the biomedical and tissue engineering fields in the last few years. The unique characteristics of aqueous interfaces, namely their low interfacial tension and elevated permeability, as well as the non-toxic environment and high water content of the immiscible phases, confer to these systems optimal qualities for the development of biomaterials such as hydrogels and soft membranes, as well as for the preparation of in vitro tissues derived from cellular assembly. Here, we overview the main properties of these systems and present a critical review of recent strategies that have been used for the development of biomaterials with increased levels of complexity using all-aqueous immiscible phases and interfaces, and their potential as cell-confining environments for micropatterning approaches and the bioengineering of cell-rich structures. Importantly, due to the relatively recent emergence of these areas, several key design considerations are presented, in order to guide researchers in the field. Finally, the main present challenges, future directions, and adaptability to develop advanced materials with increased biomimicry and new potential applications are briefly evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel C Gonçalves
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Mariana B Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - João F Mano
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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3
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Jin Z, Seong HG, Srivastava S, McGlasson A, Emrick T, Muthukumar M, Russell TP. 3D Printing of Aqueous Two-Phase Systems with Linear and Bottlebrush Polyelectrolytes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202404382. [PMID: 38616164 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202404382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
We formed core-shell-like polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) from an anionic bottlebrush polymer with poly (acrylic acid) side chains with a cationic linear poly (allylamine hydrochloride). By varying the pH, the number of side chains of the polyanionic BB polymers (Nbb), the charge density of the polyelectrolytes, and the salt concentration, the phase separation behavior and salt resistance of the complexes could be tuned by the conformation of the BBs. By combining the linear/bottlebrush polyelectrolyte complexation with all-liquid 3D printing, flow-through tubular constructs were produced that showed selective transport across the PEC membrane comprising the walls of the tubules. These tubular constructs afford a new platform for flow-through delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zichen Jin
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Hong-Gyu Seong
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Satyam Srivastava
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Alex McGlasson
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Todd Emrick
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Murugappan Muthukumar
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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Liu S, Zhang C, Li L, Deng X, Hu C, Yang F, Liu Q, Tan W. Organization of an Artificial Multicellular System with a Tunable DNA Patch on a Membrane Surface. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:433-440. [PMID: 38112415 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Coordinating multiple artificial cellular compartments into a well-organized artificial multicellular system (AMS) is of great interest in bottom-up synthetic biology. However, developing a facile strategy for fabricating an AMS with a controlled arrangement remains a challenge. Herein, utilizing in situ DNA hybridization chain reaction on the membrane surface, we developed a DNA patch-based strategy to direct the interconnection of vesicles. By tuning the DNA patch that generates heterotrophic adhesion for the attachment of vesicles, we could produce an AMS with higher-order structures straightforwardly and effectively. Furthermore, a hybrid AMS comprising live cells and vesicles was fabricated, and we found the hybrid AMS with higher-order structures arouses efficient molecular transportation from vesicles to living cells. In brief, our work provides a versatile strategy for modulating the self-assembly of AMSs, which could expand our capability to engineer synthetic biological systems and benefit synthetic cell research in programmable manipulation of intercellular communications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Liu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, FuRong Laboratory, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Chunjuan Zhang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, FuRong Laboratory, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Lexun Li
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, FuRong Laboratory, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Xiaodan Deng
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, FuRong Laboratory, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Canqiong Hu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, FuRong Laboratory, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, FuRong Laboratory, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Qiaoling Liu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, FuRong Laboratory, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, FuRong Laboratory, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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Zhang Y, Luo Y, Zhao J, Zheng W, Zhan J, Zheng H, Luo F. Emerging delivery systems based on aqueous two-phase systems: A review. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:110-132. [PMID: 38239237 PMCID: PMC10792979 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is an all-aqueous system fabricated from two immiscible aqueous phases. It is spontaneously assembled through physical liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and can create suitable templates like the multicompartment of the intracellular environment. Delicate structures containing multiple compartments make it possible to endow materials with advanced functions. Due to the properties of ATPSs, ATPS-based drug delivery systems exhibit excellent biocompatibility, extraordinary loading efficiency, and intelligently controlled content release, which are particularly advantageous for delivering drugs in vivo . Therefore, we will systematically review and evaluate ATPSs as an ideal drug delivery system. Based on the basic mechanisms and influencing factors in forming ATPSs, the transformation of ATPSs into valuable biomaterials is described. Afterward, we concentrate on the most recent cutting-edge research on ATPS-based delivery systems. Finally, the potential for further collaborations between ATPS-based drug-carrying biomaterials and disease diagnosis and treatment is also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaowen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yankun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jingqi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wenzhuo Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jun Zhan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Huaping Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, Rare Diseases Center, Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Feng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Prosthodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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6
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Li Q, Song Q, Guo W, Cao Y, Cui X, Chen D, Shum HC. Synthetic Membraneless Droplets for Synaptic-Like Clustering of Lipid Vesicles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202313096. [PMID: 37728515 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202313096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, the membraneless organelles (MLOs) formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) are found to interact intimately with membranous organelles (MOs). One major mode is the clustering of MOs by MLOs, such as the formation of clusters of synaptic vesicles at nerve terminals mediated by the synapsin-rich MLOs. Aqueous droplets, including complex coacervates and aqueous two-phase systems, have been plausible MLO-mimics to emulate or elucidate biological processes. However, neither of them can cluster lipid vesicles (LVs) like MLOs. In this work, we develop a synthetic droplet assembled from a combination of two different interactions underlying the formation of these two droplets, namely, associative and segregative interactions, which we call segregative-associative (SA) droplets. The SA droplets cluster and disperse LVs recapitulating the key functional features of synapsin condensates, which can be attributed to the weak electrostatic interaction environment provided by SA droplets. This work suggests LLPS with combined segregative and associative interactions as a possible route for synaptic clustering of lipid vesicles and highlights SA droplets as plausible MLO-mimics and models for studying and mimicking related cellular dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingchuan Li
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, Shandong University, 27 Shanda Nanlu, Jinan, Shandong, P.R.China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong, China
| | - Qingchun Song
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xinyu Cui
- Department of Public Health, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, 157000, P. R. China
| | - Dairong Chen
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, Shandong University, 27 Shanda Nanlu, Jinan, Shandong, P.R.China
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), Hong Kong, China
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7
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Toor R, Neujahr Copstein A, Trébuchet C, Goudeau B, Garrigue P, Lapeyre V, Perro A, Ravaine V. Responsive microgels-based colloidosomes constructed from all-aqueous pH-switchable coacervate droplets. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 630:66-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.10.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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8
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Cui H, Zhang Y, Shen Y, Zhu S, Tian J, Li Q, Shen Y, Liu S, Cao Y, Shum HC. Dynamic Assembly of Viscoelastic Networks by Aqueous Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation and Liquid-Solid Phase Separation (AqLL-LS PS 2 ). ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2205649. [PMID: 36222390 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202205649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Living cells comprise diverse subcellular structures, such as cytoskeletal networks, which can regulate essential cellular activities through dynamic assembly and synergistic interactions with biomolecular condensates. Despite extensive efforts, reproducing viscoelastic networks for modulating biomolecular condensates in synthetic systems remains challenging. Here, a new aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is proposed, which consists of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and dextran (DEX), to construct viscoelastic networks capable of being assembled and dissociated dynamically to regulate the self-assembly of condensates on-demand. Viscoelastic networks are generated using liquid-liquid phase-separated DEX droplets as templates and the following liquid-to-solid transition of the PNIPAM-rich phase. The resulting networks can dissolve liquid fused in sarcoma (FUS) condensates within 5 min. This work demonstrates rich phase-separation behaviors in a single ATPS through incorporating stimuli-responsive polymers. The concept can potentially be applied to other macromolecules through other stimuli to develop materials with rich phase behaviors and hierarchical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanqing Cui
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Institute for Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Yage Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- The Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), China
| | - Yinan Shen
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Shipei Zhu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Institute for Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Jingxuan Tian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- The Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), China
| | - Qingchuan Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Yi Shen
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Sihan Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Institute for Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Institute for Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Institute for Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), Shenzhen, 518000, China
- The Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), China
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Generation of Fermat's spiral patterns by solutal Marangoni-driven coiling in an aqueous two-phase system. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7206. [PMID: 36418301 PMCID: PMC9684484 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34368-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The solutal Marangoni effect is attracting increasing interest because of its fundamental role in many isothermal directional transport processes in fluids, including the Marangoni-driven spreading on liquid surfaces or Marangoni convection within a liquid. Here we report a type of continuous Marangoni transport process resulting from Marangoni-driven spreading and Marangoni convection in an aqueous two-phase system. The interaction between a salt (CaCl2) and an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate) generates surface tension gradients, which drive the transport process. This Marangoni transport consists of the upward transfer of a filament from a droplet located at the bottom of a bulk solution, coiling of the filament near the surface, and formation of Fermat's spiral patterns on the surface. The bottom-up coiling of the filament, driven by Marangoni convection, may inspire automatic fiber fabrication.
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10
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Aqueous two-phase emulsions toward biologically relevant applications. TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Zhu S, Xie G, Cui H, Li Q, Forth J, Yuan S, Tian J, Pan Y, Guo W, Chai Y, Zhang Y, Yang Z, Yu RWH, Yu Y, Liu S, Chao Y, Shen Y, Zhao S, Russell TP, Shum HC. Aquabots. ACS NANO 2022; 16:13761-13770. [PMID: 35904791 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c00619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Soft robots, made from elastomers, easily bend and flex, but deformability constraints severely limit navigation through and within narrow, confined spaces. Using aqueous two-phase systems we print water-in-water constructs that, by aqueous phase-separation-induced self-assembly, produce ultrasoft liquid robots, termed aquabots, comprised of hierarchical structures that span in length scale from the nanoscopic to microsciopic, that are beyond the resolution limits of printing and overcome the deformability barrier. The exterior of the compartmentalized membranes is easily functionalized, for example, by binding enzymes, catalytic nanoparticles, and magnetic nanoparticles that impart sensitive magnetic responsiveness. These ultrasoft aquabots can adapt their shape for gripping and transporting objects and can be used for targeted photocatalysis, delivery, and release in confined and tortuous spaces. These biocompatible, multicompartmental, and multifunctional aquabots can be readily applied to medical micromanipulation, targeted cargo delivery, tissue engineering, and biomimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipei Zhu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Ganhua Xie
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley 94720, California, United States
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China
| | - Huanqing Cui
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Qingchuan Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Colloidal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
| | - Joe Forth
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley 94720, California, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Shuai Yuan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Jingxuan Tian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Yi Pan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Yu Chai
- Department of Physics, The City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Yage Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Zhenyu Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Ryan Wing Hei Yu
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, U.K
| | - Yafeng Yu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Sihan Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Youchuang Chao
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Yinan Shen
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge 02138, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Sai Zhao
- Department of Physics, The City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley 94720, California, United States
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, Massachusetts, United States
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
- WPI-Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong 999077, (SAR), Hong Kong, P. R. China
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Coudon N, Navailles L, Nallet F, Ly I, Bentaleb A, Chapel JP, Béven L, Douliez JP, Martin N. Stabilization of all-aqueous droplets by interfacial self-assembly of fatty acids bilayers. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 617:257-266. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.02.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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13
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Perro A, Coudon N, Chapel JP, Martin N, Béven L, Douliez JP. Building micro-capsules using water-in-water emulsion droplets as templates. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 613:681-696. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Continuous, autonomous subsurface cargo shuttling by nature-inspired meniscus-climbing systems. Nat Chem 2021; 14:208-215. [PMID: 34845343 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00837-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Water-walking insects can harness capillary forces by changing their body posture to climb or descend the meniscus between the surface of water and a solid object. Controlling surface tension in this manner is necessary for predation, escape and survival. Inspired by this behaviour, we demonstrate autonomous, aqueous-based synthetic systems that overcome the meniscus barrier and shuttle cargo subsurface to and from a landing site and a targeted drop-off site. We change the sign of the contact angle of a coacervate sac containing an aqueous phase or of a hydrogel droplet hanging from the surface by controlling the normal force acting on the sac or droplet. The cyclic buoyancy-induced cargo shuttling occurs continuously, as long as the supply of reactants diffusing to the sac or droplet from the surrounding aqueous phase is not exhausted. These findings may lead to potential applications in autonomously driven reaction or delivery systems and micro-/milli-robotics.
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A three-tiered colloidosomal microreactor for continuous flow catalysis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6113. [PMID: 34671044 PMCID: PMC8528827 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26381-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrative colloidosomes with hierarchical structure and advanced function may serve as biomimetic microreactors to carry out catalytic reactions by compartmentalizing biological species within semipermeable membranes. Despite of recent progress in colloidosome design, integration of biological and inorganic components into tiered structures to tackle the remaining challenges of biocatalysis is highly demanded. Here, we report a rational design of three-tiered colloidosomes via the Pickering emulsion process. The microreactor consists of crosslinked amphiphilic silica-polymer hybrid nanoparticles as the semipermeable shell, an enzyme-incorporated catalytic sub-layer, and a partially-silicified adsorptive lumen. By leveraging confinement and enrichment effect, we demonstrate the acceleration of lipase-catalyzed ester hydrolysis within the microcompartment of organic-inorganic hybrid colloidosomes. The catalytic colloidosomes are further assembled into a closely packed column for enzymatic reactions in a continuous flow format with enhanced reaction rates. The three-tiered colloidosomes provide a reliable platform to integrate functional building blocks into a biomimetic compartmentalized microreactor with spatially controlled organization and high-performance functions.
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Kanamori C, Nguyen TT, Tsuji K, Nakanishi H, Tran-Cong-Miyata Q, Norisuye T. Interfacial structures of particle-stabilized emulsions examined by ultrasonic scattering analysis with a core-shell model. ULTRASONICS 2021; 116:106510. [PMID: 34293619 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2021.106510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pickering emulsions comprising liquid droplets stabilized by solid microparticles have gained much attention in the field of cosmetics, inks, and drug delivery systems. To ensure that microparticles in Pickering emulsions are localized at the surface of liquid droplets, ultrasonic spectroscopy analysis combined with scattering function theory was conducted in this study. Two specific cases were investigated: (1) silica particles and liquid droplets independently dispersed in liquid and (2) silica particles effectively localized at the surface of the droplets. It was found that the core-shell model was effective for analyzing nanoparticles anchored at the surface of oil droplets. Conversely, it was found that an effective shell comprised of solid particles was no longer observed as the particle size or the distance between solid particles increased. When a large solid particle was applied, the ultrasonic spectra resembled those of conventional surfactant-stabilized emulsions without solid stabilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chisato Kanamori
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science & Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Tran Thao Nguyen
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science & Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuto Tsuji
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science & Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Nakanishi
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science & Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Qui Tran-Cong-Miyata
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science & Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Norisuye
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science & Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan.
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Lipid nanovesicles for biomedical applications: 'What is in a name'? Prog Lipid Res 2021; 82:101096. [PMID: 33831455 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2021.101096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vesicles, generally defined as self-assembled structures formed by single or multiple concentric bilayers that surround an aqueous core, have been widely used for biomedical applications. They can either occur naturally (e.g. exosomes) or be produced artificially and range from the micrometric scale to the nanoscale. One the most well-known vesicle is the liposome, largely employed as a drug delivery nanocarrier. Liposomes have been modified along the years to improve physicochemical and biological features, resulting in long-circulating, ligand-targeted and stimuli-responsive liposomes, among others. In this process, new nomenclatures were reported in an extensive literature. In many instances, the new names suggest the emergence of a new nanocarrier, which have caused confusion as to whether the vesicles are indeed new entities or could simply be considered modified liposomes. Herein, we discussed the extensive nomenclature of vesicles based on the suffix "some" that are employed for drug delivery and composed of various types and proportions of lipids and others amphiphilic compounds. New names have most often been selected based on changes of vesicle lipid composition, but the payload, structural complexity (e.g. multicompartment) and new/improved proprieties (e.g. elasticity) have also inspired new vesicle names. Based on this discussion, we suggested a rational classification for vesicles.
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