Directing Transition of Synthetic Protocell Models via Physicochemical Cues-Triggered Interfacial Dynamic Covalent Chemistry.

ABSTRACT: As the preliminary synthetic analogs of living cells, protocells with life-like features serve as a versatile platform to explore the origin of life. Although protocells constructed from multiple components have been developed, the transition of primitive cellular compartments toward structural complexity and advanced function remains a scientific challenge. Herein, a programmable pathway is established to exploit a simple chemistry to construct structural transition of protocell models from emulsion droplets, nanocapsules to molecularly crowded droplets. The transitional process toward distinct cell-like compartments is driven by interfacial self-assembly of simple components and regulated by physicochemical cues (e.g., mechanical force, solvent evaporation, acid/base equilibrium) trigger

SUBMITTER: Ji Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8456217 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature