Large-Scale Preparation of Giant Vesicles by Squeezing a Lipid-Coated Marshmallow-like Silicone Gel in a Buffer

Langmuir. 2018 Sep 18;34(37):11021-11026. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b01801. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

Abstract

Giant vesicles were efficiently produced by squeezing a lipid (l-α-phosphatidylcholine from egg yolk)-coated marshmallow-like flexible macroporous silicone monolith in a buffer. The mean diameter of the obtained vesicles was 2 μm, showing a wide distribution, up to tens of micrometers, which was similar to that of vesicles formed by a natural swelling method. It was possible to prepare vesicle dispersions on a scale from several microliters to several hundred milliliters. A protein synthesis system (PURE system) contained in vesicles prepared using this method functioned effectively. Our absorbing-squeezing method is expected to help in studies that use giant vesicles such as artificial cells and drug delivery systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Buffers
  • Liposomes / chemical synthesis*
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Particle Size
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry*
  • Porosity
  • Silicone Gels / chemistry*

Substances

  • Buffers
  • Liposomes
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Silicone Gels