1
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Gao R, Yu X, Kumar BVVSP, Tian L. Hierarchical Structuration in Protocellular System. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300422. [PMID: 37438327 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Spatial control is one of the ubiquitous features in biological systems and the key to the functional complexity of living cells. The strategies to achieve such precise spatial control in protocellular systems are crucial to constructing complex artificial living systems with functional collective behavior. Herein, the authors review recent advances in the spatial control within a single protocell or between different protocells and discuss how such hierarchical structured protocellular system can be used to understand complex living systems or to advance the development of functional microreactors with the programmable release of various biomacromolecular payloads, or smart protocell-biological cell hybrid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Gao
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Xinran Yu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | | | - Liangfei Tian
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Innovation Center for Smart Medical Technologies & Devices, Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
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2
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Challenges and opportunities in achieving the full potential of droplet interface bilayers. Nat Chem 2022; 14:862-870. [PMID: 35879442 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-022-00989-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Model membranes can be used to elucidate the intricacies of the chemical processes that occur in cell membranes, but the perfectly biomimetic, yet bespoke, model membrane has yet to be built. Droplet interface bilayers are a new type of model membrane able to mimic some features of real cell membranes better than traditional models, such as liposomes and black lipid membranes. In this Perspective, we discuss recent work in the field that is starting to showcase the potential of these model membranes to enable the quantification of membrane processes, such as the behaviour of protein transporters and the prediction of in vivo drug movement, and their use as scaffolds for electrophysiological measurements. We also highlight the challenges that remain to enable droplet interface bilayers to achieve their full potential as artificial cells, and as biological analytical platforms to quantify molecular transport.
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3
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Baxani DK, Jamieson WD, Barrow DA, Castell OK. Encapsulated droplet interface bilayers as a platform for high-throughput membrane studies. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:5089-5096. [PMID: 35766018 PMCID: PMC9277618 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01111a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Whilst it is highly desirable to produce artificial lipid bilayer arrays allowing for systematic high-content screening of membrane conditions, it remains a challenge due to the combined requirements of scaled membrane production, simple measurement access, and independent control over individual bilayer experimental conditions. Here, droplet bilayers encapsulated within a hydrogel shell are output individually into multi-well plates for simple, arrayed quantitative measurements. The afforded experimental throughput is used to conduct a 2D concentration screen characterising the synergistic pore-forming peptides Magainin2 and PGLa. Maximal enhanced activity is revealed at equimolar peptide concentrations via a membrane dye leakage assay, a finding consistent with models proposed from NMR data. The versatility of the platform is demonstrated by performing in situ electrophysiology, revealing low conductance pore activity (∼15 to 20 pA with 4.5 pA sub-states). In conclusion, this array platform addresses the aforementioned challenges and provides new and flexible opportunities for high-throughput membrane studies. Furthermore, the ability to engineer droplet networks within each construct paves the way for "lab-in-a-capsule" approaches accommodating multiple assays per construct and allowing for communicative reaction pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- D K Baxani
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, CF10 3NB Cardiff, UK.
| | - W D Jamieson
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, CF10 3NB Cardiff, UK.
| | - D A Barrow
- School of Engineering, Cardiff University, 14-17 The Parade, CF4 3AA Cardiff, UK
| | - O K Castell
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, CF10 3NB Cardiff, UK.
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4
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Huang Y, Fuller G, Chandran Suja V. Physicochemical characteristics of droplet interface bilayers. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 304:102666. [PMID: 35429720 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Droplet interface bilayer (DIB) is a lipid bilayer formed when two lipid monolayer-coated aqueous droplets are brought in contact within an oil phase. DIBs, especially post functionalization, are a facile model system to study the biophysics of the cell membrane. Continued advances in enhancing and functionalizing DIBs to be a faithful cell membrane mimetic requires a deep understanding of the physicochemical characteristics of droplet interface bilayers. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current scientific understanding of DIB characteristics starting with the key experimental frameworks for DIB generation, visualization and functionalization. Subsequently we report experimentally measured physical, electrical and transport characteristics of DIBs across physiologically relevant lipids. Advances in simulations and mathematical modelling of DIBs are also discussed, with an emphasis on revealing principles governing the key physicochemical characteristics. Finally, we conclude the review with important outstanding questions in the field.
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5
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Strutt R, Hindley JW, Gregg J, Booth PJ, Harling JD, Law RV, Friddin MS, Ces O. Activating mechanosensitive channels embedded in droplet interface bilayers using membrane asymmetry. Chem Sci 2021; 12:2138-2145. [PMID: 34163978 PMCID: PMC8179348 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc03889j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Droplet microcompartments linked by lipid bilayers show great promise in the construction of synthetic minimal tissues. Central to controlling the flow of information in these systems are membrane proteins, which can gate in response to specific stimuli in order to control the molecular flux between membrane separated compartments. This has been demonstrated with droplet interface bilayers (DIBs) using several different membrane proteins combined with electrical, mechanical, and/or chemical activators. Here we report the activation of the bacterial mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) in a dioleoylphosphatidylcholine:dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol DIB by controlling membrane asymmetry. We show using electrical measurements that the incorporation of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) into one of the bilayer leaflets triggers MscL gating in a concentration-dependent manner, with partial and full activation observed at 10 and 15 mol% LPC respectively. Our findings could inspire the design of new minimal tissues where flux pathways are dynamically defined by lipid composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Strutt
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
| | - James W Hindley
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Jordan Gregg
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Paula J Booth
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London SE1 1DB London UK
| | - John D Harling
- Medicinal Chemistry, GSK Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Robert V Law
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Mark S Friddin
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London Imperial College Road SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
- FabriCELL, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub Shepherd's Bush London W12 0BZ UK
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6
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Misawa N, Osaki T, Takeuchi S. Membrane protein-based biosensors. J R Soc Interface 2019; 15:rsif.2017.0952. [PMID: 29669891 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This review highlights recent development of biosensors that use the functions of membrane proteins. Membrane proteins are essential components of biological membranes and have a central role in detection of various environmental stimuli such as olfaction and gustation. A number of studies have attempted for development of biosensors using the sensing property of these membrane proteins. Their specificity to target molecules is particularly attractive as it is significantly superior to that of traditional human-made sensors. In this review, we classified the membrane protein-based biosensors into two platforms: the lipid bilayer-based platform and the cell-based platform. On lipid bilayer platforms, the membrane proteins are embedded in a lipid bilayer that bridges between the protein and a sensor device. On cell-based platforms, the membrane proteins are expressed in a cultured cell, which is then integrated in a sensor device. For both platforms we introduce the fundamental information and the recent progress in the development of the biosensors, and remark on the outlook for practical biosensing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuo Misawa
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu, Kawasaki 213-0012, Japan
| | - Toshihisa Osaki
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu, Kawasaki 213-0012, Japan.,Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Shoji Takeuchi
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu, Kawasaki 213-0012, Japan .,Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
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7
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Allen-Benton M, Findlay HE, Booth PJ. Probing membrane protein properties using droplet interface bilayers. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:709-720. [PMID: 31053046 PMCID: PMC6552395 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219847939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT The paper presents a comprehensive review of integral membrane protein studies utilizing droplet interface bilayers. Droplet interface bilayers are a novel method of constructing artificial lipid bilayers with enhanced stability and physicochemical complexity compared to existing methods. Their unique morphology also suggests applications in the construction of synthetic biological systems and protocells. As well as serving as a guide to in vitro membrane protein functional studies using droplet interface bilayers in the literature to date, a novel in vitro study of a flippase protein in a droplet interface bilayer is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paula J Booth
- Department of Chemistry, King’s College London,
London SE1 1DB, UK
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8
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Friddin MS, Elani Y, Trantidou T, Ces O. New Directions for Artificial Cells Using Prototyped Biosystems. Anal Chem 2019; 91:4921-4928. [PMID: 30841694 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics has has enabled the generation of a range of single compartment and multicompartment vesicles and bilayer-delineated droplets that can be assembled in 2D and 3D. These model systems are becoming increasingly used as artificial cell chassis and as biomimetic constructs for assembling tissue models, engineering therapeutic delivery systems, and screening drugs. One bottleneck in developing this technology is the time, expertise, and equipment required for device fabrication. This has led to interest across the microfluidics community in using rapid prototyping to engineer microfluidic devices from computer-aided-design (CAD) drawings. We highlight how this rapid-prototyping revolution is transforming the fabrication of microfluidic devices for artificial cell construction in bottom-up synthetic biology. We provide an outline of the current landscape and present how advances in the field may give rise to the next generation of multifunctional biodevices, particularly with Industry 4.0 on the horizon. Successfully developing this technology and making it open-source could pave the way for a new generation of citizen-led science, fueling the possibility that the next multibillion-dollar start-up could emerge from an attic or a basement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Friddin
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom.,Institute of Chemical Biology , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom.,fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom
| | - Tatiana Trantidou
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom.,Institute of Chemical Biology , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom.,fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom
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9
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Trantidou T, Friddin MS, Salehi-Reyhani A, Ces O, Elani Y. Droplet microfluidics for the construction of compartmentalised model membranes. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:2488-2509. [PMID: 30066008 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00028j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The design of membrane-based constructs with multiple compartments is of increasing importance given their potential applications as microreactors, as artificial cells in synthetic-biology, as simplified cell models, and as drug delivery vehicles. The emergence of droplet microfluidics as a tool for their construction has allowed rapid scale-up in generation throughput, scale-down of size, and control over gross membrane architecture. This is true on several levels: size, level of compartmentalisation and connectivity of compartments can all be programmed to various degrees. This tutorial review explains and explores the reasons behind this. We discuss microfluidic strategies for the generation of a family of compartmentalised systems that have lipid membranes as the basic structural motifs, where droplets are either the fundamental building blocks, or are precursors to the membrane-bound compartments. We examine the key properties associated with these systems (including stability, yield, encapsulation efficiency), discuss relevant device fabrication technologies, and outline the technical challenges. In doing so, we critically review the state-of-play in this rapidly advancing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Trantidou
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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10
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Booth MJ, Restrepo Schild V, Downs FG, Bayley H. Functional aqueous droplet networks. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2018; 13:1658-1691. [PMID: 28766622 DOI: 10.1039/c7mb00192d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Droplet interface bilayers (DIBs), comprising individual lipid bilayers between pairs of aqueous droplets in an oil, are proving to be a useful tool for studying membrane proteins. Recently, attention has turned to the elaboration of networks of aqueous droplets, connected through functionalized interface bilayers, with collective properties unachievable in droplet pairs. Small 2D collections of droplets have been formed into soft biodevices, which can act as electronic components, light-sensors and batteries. A substantial breakthrough has been the development of a droplet printer, which can create patterned 3D droplet networks of hundreds to thousands of connected droplets. The 3D networks can change shape, or carry electrical signals through defined pathways, or express proteins in response to patterned illumination. We envisage using functional 3D droplet networks as autonomous synthetic tissues or coupling them with cells to repair or enhance the properties of living tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Booth
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK.
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11
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Barlow NE, Bolognesi G, Haylock S, Flemming AJ, Brooks NJ, Barter LMC, Ces O. Rheological Droplet Interface Bilayers (rheo-DIBs): Probing the Unstirred Water Layer Effect on Membrane Permeability via Spinning Disk Induced Shear Stress. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17551. [PMID: 29242597 PMCID: PMC5730560 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A new rheological droplet interface bilayer (rheo-DIB) device is presented as a tool to apply shear stress on biological lipid membranes. Despite their exciting potential for affecting high-throughput membrane translocation studies, permeability assays conducted using DIBs have neglected the effect of the unstirred water layer (UWL). However as demonstrated in this study, neglecting this phenomenon can cause significant underestimates in membrane permeability measurements which in turn limits their ability to predict key processes such as drug translocation rates across lipid membranes. With the use of the rheo-DIB chip, the effective bilayer permeability can be modulated by applying shear stress to the droplet interfaces, inducing flow parallel to the DIB membranes. By analysing the relation between the effective membrane permeability and the applied stress, both the intrinsic membrane permeability and UWL thickness can be determined for the first time using this model membrane approach, thereby unlocking the potential of DIBs for undertaking diffusion assays. The results are also validated with numerical simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan E Barlow
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Guido Bolognesi
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Stuart Haylock
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Anthony J Flemming
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG42 6EY, UK
| | - Nicholas J Brooks
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Laura M C Barter
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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12
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Trantidou T, Friddin M, Elani Y, Brooks NJ, Law RV, Seddon JM, Ces O. Engineering Compartmentalized Biomimetic Micro- and Nanocontainers. ACS NANO 2017; 11:6549-6565. [PMID: 28658575 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b03245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization of biological content and function is a key architectural feature in biology, where membrane bound micro- and nanocompartments are used for performing a host of highly specialized and tightly regulated biological functions. The benefit of compartmentalization as a design principle is behind its ubiquity in cells and has led to it being a central engineering theme in construction of artificial cell-like systems. In this review, we discuss the attractions of designing compartmentalized membrane-bound constructs and review a range of biomimetic membrane architectures that span length scales, focusing on lipid-based structures but also addressing polymer-based and hybrid approaches. These include nested vesicles, multicompartment vesicles, large-scale vesicle networks, as well as droplet interface bilayers, and double-emulsion multiphase systems (multisomes). We outline key examples of how such structures have been functionalized with biological and synthetic machinery, for example, to manufacture and deliver drugs and metabolic compounds, to replicate intracellular signaling cascades, and to demonstrate collective behaviors as minimal tissue constructs. Particular emphasis is placed on the applications of these architectures and the state-of-the-art microfluidic engineering required to fabricate, functionalize, and precisely assemble them. Finally, we outline the future directions of these technologies and highlight how they could be applied to engineer the next generation of cell models, therapeutic agents, and microreactors, together with the diverse applications in the emerging field of bottom-up synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Trantidou
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Friddin
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J Brooks
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Robert V Law
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - John M Seddon
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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13
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Yasuga H, Inoue K, Kawano R, Takinoue M, Osaki T, Kamiya K, Miki N, Takeuchi S. Serial DNA relay in DNA logic gates by electrical fusion and mechanical splitting of droplets. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180876. [PMID: 28700641 PMCID: PMC5507272 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA logic circuits utilizing DNA hybridization and/or enzymatic reactions have drawn increasing attention for their potential applications in the diagnosis and treatment of cellular diseases. The compartmentalization of such a system into a microdroplet considerably helps to precisely regulate local interactions and reactions between molecules. In this study, we introduced a relay approach for enabling the transfer of DNA from one droplet to another to implement multi-step sequential logic operations. We proposed electrical fusion and mechanical splitting of droplets to facilitate the DNA flow at the inputs, logic operation, output, and serial connection between two logic gates. We developed Negative-OR operations integrated by a serial connection of the OR gate and NOT gate incorporated in a series of droplets. The four types of input defined by the presence/absence of DNA in the input droplet pair were correctly reflected in the readout at the Negative-OR gate. The proposed approach potentially allows for serial and parallel logic operations that could be used for complex diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Yasuga
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
- School of Integrated Design Engineering, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kosuke Inoue
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
- School of Integrated Design Engineering, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ryuji Kawano
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takinoue
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toshihisa Osaki
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koki Kamiya
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Norihisa Miki
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
- School of Integrated Design Engineering, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shoji Takeuchi
- Artificial Cell Membrane Systems Group, Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Kawasaki, Japan
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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14
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Barlow NE, Smpokou E, Friddin MS, Macey R, Gould IR, Turnbull C, Flemming AJ, Brooks NJ, Ces O, Barter LMC. Engineering plant membranes using droplet interface bilayers. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2017; 11:024107. [PMID: 28396711 PMCID: PMC5367087 DOI: 10.1063/1.4979045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Droplet interface bilayers (DIBs) have become widely recognised as a robust platform for constructing model membranes and are emerging as a key technology for the bottom-up assembly of synthetic cell-like and tissue-like structures. DIBs are formed when lipid-monolayer coated water droplets are brought together inside a well of oil, which is excluded from the interface as the DIB forms. The unique features of the system, compared to traditional approaches (e.g., supported lipid bilayers, black lipid membranes, and liposomes), is the ability to engineer multi-layered bilayer networks by connecting multiple droplets together in 3D, and the capability to impart bilayer asymmetry freely within these droplet architectures by supplying droplets with different lipids. Yet despite these achievements, one potential limitation of the technology is that DIBs formed from biologically relevant components have not been well studied. This could limit the reach of the platform to biological systems where bilayer composition and asymmetry are understood to play a key role. Herein, we address this issue by reporting the assembly of asymmetric DIBs designed to replicate the plasma membrane compositions of three different plant species; Arabidopsis thaliana, tobacco, and oats, by engineering vesicles with different amounts of plant phospholipids, sterols and cerebrosides for the first time. We show that vesicles made from our plant lipid formulations are stable and can be used to assemble asymmetric plant DIBs. We verify this using a bilayer permeation assay, from which we extract values for absolute effective bilayer permeation and bilayer stability. Our results confirm that stable DIBs can be assembled from our plant membrane mimics and could lead to new approaches for assembling model systems to study membrane translocation and to screen new agrochemicals in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - C Turnbull
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London , Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihisa Osaki
- Artificial Cell
Membrane
Systems Group, Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology, 3-2-1
Sakado, Takatsu, 213-0012 Kawasaki, Japan
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, 153-8505 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shoji Takeuchi
- Artificial Cell
Membrane
Systems Group, Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology, 3-2-1
Sakado, Takatsu, 213-0012 Kawasaki, Japan
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro, 153-8505 Tokyo, Japan
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