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Serkhacheva NS, Prokopov NI, Lysenko EA, Kozhunova EY, Chernikova EV. Modern Trends in Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1408. [PMID: 38794601 PMCID: PMC11125046 DOI: 10.3390/polym16101408] [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: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) is a powerful and versatile technique for producing colloidal dispersions of block copolymer particles with desired morphologies. Currently, PISA can be carried out in various media, over a wide range of temperatures, and using different mechanisms. This method enables the production of biodegradable objects and particles with various functionalities and stimuli sensitivity. Consequently, PISA offers a broad spectrum of potential commercial applications. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current state of rational synthesis of block copolymer particles with diverse morphologies using various PISA techniques and mechanisms. The discussion begins with an examination of the main thermodynamic, kinetic, and structural aspects of block copolymer micellization, followed by an exploration of the key principles of PISA in the formation of gradient and block copolymers. The review also delves into the main mechanisms of PISA implementation and the principles governing particle morphology. Finally, the potential future developments in PISA are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia S. Serkhacheva
- Lomonosov Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, pr. Vernadskogo, 86, 119571 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Nickolay I. Prokopov
- Lomonosov Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, pr. Vernadskogo, 86, 119571 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Evgenii A. Lysenko
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, bld. 3, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (E.Y.K.)
| | - Elena Yu. Kozhunova
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, bld. 3, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (E.Y.K.)
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, bld. 2, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena V. Chernikova
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, bld. 3, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.L.); (E.Y.K.)
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2
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Pearce S, Lin C, Pérez-Mercader J. Adaptive and Dissipative Hierarchical Population Crowding of Synthetic Protocells through Click-PISA under Gradient Energy Inputs. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:2457-2464. [PMID: 38373157 PMCID: PMC10906081 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04035] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The ability of living objects to respond rapidly en masse to various stimuli or stress is an important function in response to externally applied changes in the local environment. This occurs across many length scales, for instance, bacteria swarming in response to different stimuli or stress and macromolecular crowding within cells. Currently there are few mechanisms to induce similar autonomous behaviors within populations of synthetic protocells. Herein, we report a system in which populations of individual objects behave in a coordinated manner in response to changes in the energetic environment by the emergent self-organization of large object swarms. These swarms contain protocell populations of approximately 60 000 individuals. We demonstrate the dissipative nature of the hierarchical constructs, which persist under appropriate UV stimulation. Finally, we identify the ability of the object populations to change behaviors in an adaptive population-wide response to the local energetic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Pearce
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Origins of Life Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Chenyu Lin
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Origins of Life Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Juan Pérez-Mercader
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Origins of Life Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- The
Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, United States
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3
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Maffeis V, Heuberger L, Nikoletić A, Schoenenberger C, Palivan CG. Synthetic Cells Revisited: Artificial Cells Construction Using Polymeric Building Blocks. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305837. [PMID: 37984885 PMCID: PMC10885666 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305837] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The exponential growth of research on artificial cells and organelles underscores their potential as tools to advance the understanding of fundamental biological processes. The bottom-up construction from a variety of building blocks at the micro- and nanoscale, in combination with biomolecules is key to developing artificial cells. In this review, artificial cells are focused upon based on compartments where polymers are the main constituent of the assembly. Polymers are of particular interest due to their incredible chemical variety and the advantage of tuning the properties and functionality of their assemblies. First, the architectures of micro- and nanoscale polymer assemblies are introduced and then their usage as building blocks is elaborated upon. Different membrane-bound and membrane-less compartments and supramolecular structures and how they combine into advanced synthetic cells are presented. Then, the functional aspects are explored, addressing how artificial organelles in giant compartments mimic cellular processes. Finally, how artificial cells communicate with their surrounding and each other such as to adapt to an ever-changing environment and achieve collective behavior as a steppingstone toward artificial tissues, is taken a look at. Engineering artificial cells with highly controllable and programmable features open new avenues for the development of sophisticated multifunctional systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maffeis
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringBPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24aBaselCH‐4058Switzerland
| | - Lukas Heuberger
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
| | - Anamarija Nikoletić
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | | | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringBPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24aBaselCH‐4058Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
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Quijada-Garrido I, García O. How a family of nanostructured amphiphilic block copolymers synthesized by RAFT-PISA take advantage of thiol groups to direct the in situ assembly of high luminescent CuNCs within their thermo-responsive core. Eur Polym J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Ren K, Blosser MC, Malmstadt N. Light-Triggered Unique Shape Transformation of Giant Polymersomes with Tubular Protrusions. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2100474. [PMID: 34553805 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100474] [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: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Light-triggered unique shape transformation of calcein-loaded giant polymersomes with tubular protrusions, which serve as a reservoir membrane area during the shape transformation, is reported here. Under irradiation at the excitation wavelength of calcein, the tubular protrusions form strings of budded vesicles and then reintegrate into the mother vesicle. The initial giant polymersomes transform to two connected spherical vesicles via two pathways to alleviate the osmotic pressure imbalance across the vesicle membrane. The two connected spherical vesicles further transform to a mother vesicle with an inner daughter vesicle after switching off the light to relieve the bending energy. The finding provides a promising platform to mimic cell morphology changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixuan Ren
- Department of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China.,Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, 925 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1211, USA
| | - Matthew C Blosser
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, 925 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1211, USA
| | - Noah Malmstadt
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, 925 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1211, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, 840 Downey Way, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0744, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 3650 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-1111, USA
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Pearce S, Perez-Mercader J. Chemoadaptive Polymeric Assemblies by Integrated Chemical Feedback in Self-Assembled Synthetic Protocells. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:1543-1550. [PMID: 34584956 PMCID: PMC8461774 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The design and chemical synthesis of artificial material objects which can mimic the functions of living cells is an important ongoing scientific endeavor. A key challenge necessary for fulfilling the criteria for a system to be living currently regards evolution, which is derived from adaptivity. Integrated chemical loops capable of feedback control are required to achieve chemical systems which exhibit adaptivity. To explore this, we present an integrated, two-component orthogonal chemical process involving reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) based polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) and a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne click (CuAAC) coupling reaction. The chemical processes are linked through electron transfer from the activated chain-transfer agent (CTA) to the dormant Cu(II) precatalyst. We show that combining these complementary chemistries in a single reaction pot resulted in two primary outcomes: (i) simplification of the PISA process to synthesize the macro-CTA in situ from available nonamphiphilic components and (ii) routes to complexity and adaptation involving population dynamics, morphologies, and dissipative phenomena observed during in situ microscopy analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Pearce
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Origins of Life Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Juan Perez-Mercader
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Origins of Life Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Santa
Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, United States
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Lin C, Katla SK, Pérez-Mercader J. Photochemically induced cyclic morphological dynamics via degradation of autonomously produced, self-assembled polymer vesicles. Commun Chem 2021; 4:25. [PMID: 36697697 PMCID: PMC9814595 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-021-00464-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Autonomous and out-of-equilibrium vesicles synthesised from small molecules in a homogeneous aqueous medium are an emerging class of dynamically self-assembled systems with considerable potential for engineering natural life mimics. Here we report on the physico-chemical mechanism behind a dynamic morphological evolution process through which self-assembled polymeric structures autonomously booted from a homogeneous mixture, evolve from micelles to giant vesicles accompanied by periodic growth and implosion cycles when exposed to oxygen under light irradiation. The system however formed nano-objects or gelation under poor oxygen conditions or when heated. We determined the cause to be photoinduced chemical degradation within hydrated polymer cores inducing osmotic water influx and the subsequent morphological dynamics. The process also led to an increase in the population of polymeric objects through system self-replication. This study offers a new path toward the design of chemically self-assembled systems and their potential application in autonomous material artificial simulation of living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Lin
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Sai Krishna Katla
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Juan Pérez-Mercader
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States.
- The Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, United States.
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Pearce S, Perez-Mercader J. PISA: construction of self-organized and self-assembled functional vesicular structures. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0py00564a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PISA reaction networks alone, integrated with other networks, or designing properties into the amphiphiles confer functionalities to the supramolecular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Pearce
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Origins of Life Initiative
- Harvard University
- Cambridge
- USA
| | - Juan Perez-Mercader
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Origins of Life Initiative
- Harvard University
- Cambridge
- USA
- Santa Fe Institute
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Lu Z, Guo J. Growing Polymer Vesicles Generated by Polymerization Induced Self-Assembly Coupled With a Living Chemical Reactor. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:1018. [PMID: 32984286 PMCID: PMC7490293 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.01018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical oscillatory reactions have attracted intensive attention due to their autonomous, continuous, and periodic features. Herein, the radicals generated in Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) oscillator was used to initiate RAFT (reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer) polymerization of 2-methoxyethyl acrylate (MEA) extending from hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) chain transfer agent (PEG-CTA) to give amphiphilic block copolymer, which self-assembled into collective objects with a size ranging from sub-micron to micron. Small-to-giant polymer vesicles could be generated using the above-mentioned BZ-PISA technology, the encapsulation of active BZ recipe into the vesicles also endorses the vesicles with growing features with potential for drug delivery and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Lu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhihui Lu,
| | - Jinshan Guo
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science and Origin of Life Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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Penfold NJW, Yeow J, Boyer C, Armes SP. Emerging Trends in Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly. ACS Macro Lett 2019; 8:1029-1054. [PMID: 35619484 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.9b00464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 332] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In this Perspective, we summarize recent progress in polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) for the rational synthesis of block copolymer nanoparticles with various morphologies. Much of the PISA literature has been based on thermally initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Herein, we pay particular attention to alternative PISA protocols, which allow the preparation of nanoparticles with improved control over copolymer morphology and functionality. For example, initiation based on visible light, redox chemistry, or enzymes enables the incorporation of sensitive monomers and fragile biomolecules into block copolymer nanoparticles. Furthermore, PISA syntheses and postfunctionalization of the resulting nanoparticles (e.g., cross-linking) can be conducted sequentially without intermediate purification by using various external stimuli. Finally, PISA formulations have been optimized via high-throughput polymerization and recently evaluated within flow reactors for facile scale-up syntheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. W. Penfold
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Yeow
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Chemical Engineering, and Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2051, Australia
| | - Cyrille Boyer
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Chemical Engineering, and Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2051, Australia
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 7HF, United Kingdom
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Berlanga I. Synthesis of Non-Uniform Functionalized Amphiphilic Block Copolymers and Giant Vesicles in the Presence of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction. Biomolecules 2019; 9:E352. [PMID: 31398958 PMCID: PMC6723531 DOI: 10.3390/biom9080352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Giant vesicles with several-micrometer diameters were prepared by the self-assembly of an amphiphilic block copolymer in the presence of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. The vesicle is composed of a non-uniform triblock copolymer synthesized by multi-step reactions in the presence of air at room temperature. The triblock copolymer contains poly(glycerol monomethacrylate) (PGMA) as the hydrophilic block copolymerized with tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)3), which catalyzes the BZ reaction, and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) as the hydrophobic block. In this new approach, the radicals generated in the BZ reaction can activate a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization to self-assemble the polymer into vesicles with diameters of approximately 3 µm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements demonstrated that the PGMA-b-Ru(bpy)3-b-PHPMA triblock copolymer is brominated and increases the osmotic pressure inside the vesicle, leading to micrometer-sized features. The effect of solvent on the morphological transitions are also discussed briefly. This BZ strategy, offers a new perspective to prepare giant vesicles as a platform for promising applications in the areas of microencapsulation and catalyst support, due to their significant sizes and large microcavities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isadora Berlanga
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Origins of Life Initiative, Harvard University, 100 Edwin H. Land Bvld., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Materials. FCFM, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago 8370456, Chile.
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Zhang Y, He J, Dai X, Yu L, Tan J, Zhang L. Combining the power of heat and light: temperature-programmed photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization to tune polymerization-induced self-assembly. Polym Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9py00534j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A novel temperature-programmed photo-PISA method which combines the power of heat and light is developed for the preparation of a diverse set of morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Zhang
- Department of Polymeric Materials and Engineering
- School of Materials and Energy
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- China
| | - Jun He
- Department of Polymeric Materials and Engineering
- School of Materials and Energy
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- China
| | - Xiaocong Dai
- Department of Polymeric Materials and Engineering
- School of Materials and Energy
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- China
| | - Liangliang Yu
- Department of Polymeric Materials and Engineering
- School of Materials and Energy
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- China
| | - Jianbo Tan
- Department of Polymeric Materials and Engineering
- School of Materials and Energy
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Polymeric Materials and Engineering
- School of Materials and Energy
- Guangdong University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510006
- China
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