Rapid Multilevel Compartmentalization of Stable All-Aqueous Blastosomes by Interfacial Aqueous-Phase Separation

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

24 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Shipei Zhu
  • Joe Forth
  • Ganhua Xie
  • Youchuang Chao
  • Jingxuan Tian
  • Thomas P. Russell

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11215-11224
Journal / PublicationACS Nano
Volume14
Issue number9
Online published9 Jun 2020
Publication statusPublished - 22 Sept 2020
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Producing artificial multicellular structures to process multistep cascade reactions and mimic the fundamental aspects of living systems is an outstanding challenge. Highly biocompatible, artificial systems consisting of all-aqueous, compartmentalized multicellular systems have yet to be realized. Here, a rapid multilevel compartmentalization of an all-aqueous system where a 3D sheet of subcolloidosomes encloses a mother colloidosome by interfacial phase separation is demonstrated. These spatially organized multicellular structures are termed "blastosomes" since they are similar to blastula in appearance. The barrier to nanoparticle assembly at the water−water interface is overcome using oppositely charged polyelectrolytes that form a coacervate−nanoparticle−composite network. The conditions required to trigger interfacial phase separation and form blastosomes are quantified in a mapped state diagram. We show a versatile model for constructing artificial multicellular spheroids in all-aqueous systems. The rapid interfacial assembly of charged particles and polyelectrolytes can lock in nonequilibrium shapes of water, which also enables top-down technologies, such as 3D printing and microfluidics, to program flexible compartmentalized structures. © 2020 American Chemical Society.

Research Area(s)

  • aqueous two-phase system, artificial cells, compartmentalization, nanoparticle surfactant, phase separation

Citation Format(s)

Rapid Multilevel Compartmentalization of Stable All-Aqueous Blastosomes by Interfacial Aqueous-Phase Separation. / Zhu, Shipei; Forth, Joe; Xie, Ganhua et al.
In: ACS Nano, Vol. 14, No. 9, 22.09.2020, p. 11215-11224.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review