biostudies-literatureAllen MEUK Research and InnovationWellcome TrustBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Councile2411220https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12372441biostudies-literatureUnknown21(33)Stimuli-responsive polymeric vesicles offer a versatile platform for mimicking dynamic cell-like behaviors for synthetic cell applications. In this study, thermally responsive polymeric droplets derived from poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(butylene oxide) (PEO-PBO) polymersomes, aiming to create synthetic cell models that mimic key biological functions are developed. Upon heating, the nanoscale vesicles undergo fusion, transforming into sponge-like microscale droplets enriched with membrane features. By modulating the temperature, these droplets display dynamic properties such as contractility, temperature-induced fusion, and cargo trapping, including small molecules and bacteria, thereby demonstrating their ability to dynamically interface with biological entities. The findings demonstrate the potential of our sponge-like droplets in synthetic cell applications, contributing to the understanding of PEO-PBO polymersomes' unique characteristics, expanding the capabilities of synthetic cell structures, and representing an exciting possibility for advancing soft matter engineering to cell-like behaviors.Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)Thermally Driven Dynamic Behaviors in Polymeric Vesicles.PMC12372441MR/S031537/1BB/W009323/1RSRO_67869Paez-Perez MContini CAllen MEChan CLSun YElani YCes OfalseThermally Driven Dynamic Behaviors in Polymeric Vesicles.Stimuli-responsive polymeric vesicles offer a versatile platform for mimicking dynamic cell-like behaviors for synthetic cell applications. In this study, thermally responsive polymeric droplets derived from poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(butylene oxide) (PEO-PBO) polymersomes, aiming to create synthetic cell models that mimic key biological functions are developed. Upon heating, the nanoscale vesicles undergo fusion, transforming into sponge-like microscale droplets enriched with membrane features. By modulating the temperature, these droplets display dynamic properties such as contractility, temperature-induced fusion, and cargo trapping, including small molecules and bacteria, thereby demonstrating their ability to dynamically interface with biological entities. The findings demonstrate the potential of our sponge-like droplets in synthetic cell applications, contributing to the understanding of PEO-PBO polymersomes' unique characteristics, expanding the capabilities of synthetic cell structures, and representing an exciting possibility for advancing soft matter engineering to cell-like behaviors.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Aug2026-05-09T10:39:36.63Z2026-04-08T00:48:17.529ZS-EPMC123724414004242810.1002/smll.202411220