Model system of self-reproducing vesicles

Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Nov 4;107(19):198101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.198101. Epub 2011 Oct 31.

Abstract

Development of self-reproducing vesicle systems is the first step for autopoietic cycles. We established a model self-reproducing vesicle system without the membrane molecule synthesis route. The model vesicle composed of cylinder- and inverse-cone-shaped lipids formed inclusion vesicles inside the mother vesicle, and the inclusion vesicles were then expelled by a temperature cycling. By changing the vesicle composition, the mother vesicles showed a budding-type self-reproduction pathway. A key concept of this system is the coupling of the main-chain transition and the shape of lipids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Liposomes / chemistry*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Models, Theoretical*

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Lipids
  • Liposomes