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  • Encapsulation of hydrophobic components in dendrimersomes and decoration of their surface with proteins and nucleic acids
Title: Encapsulation of hydrophobic components in dendrimersomes and decoration of their surface with proteins and nucleic acids
Reconstructing the functions of living cells using nonnatural components is one of the great challenges of natural sciences. Compartmentalization, encapsulation, and surface decoration of globular assemblies, known as vesicles, represent key early steps in the reconstitution of synthetic cells. Here we report that vesicles self-assembled from amphiphilic Janus dendrimers, called dendrimersomes, encapsulate high concentrations of hydrophobic components and do so more efficiently than commercially available stealth liposomes assembled from phospholipid components. Multilayer onion-like dendrimersomes demonstrate a particularly high capacity for loading low-molecular weight compounds and even folded proteins. Coassembly of amphiphilic Janus dendrimers with metal-chelating ligands conjugated to amphiphilic Janus dendrimers generates dendrimersomes that selectively display folded proteins on their periphery in an oriented manner. A modular strategy for tethering nucleic acids to the surface of dendrimersomes is also demonstrated. These findings augment the functional capabilities of dendrimersomes to serve as versatile biological membrane mimics.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1807127 1066116
PAR ID:
10138599
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Volume:
116
Issue:
31
ISSN:
0027-8424
Page Range / eLocation ID:
15378 to 15385
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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