biostudies-literatureWang XNIAID NIH HHSNCI NIH HHS106-12https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8919957biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)Topological defects in liquid crystals (LCs) have been widely used to organize colloidal dispersions and template polymerization, leading to a range of assemblies, elastomers and gels. However, little is understood about molecular-level assembly processes within defects. Here, we report that nanoscopic environments defined by LC topological defects can selectively trigger processes of molecular self-assembly. By using fluorescence microscopy, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and super-resolution optical microscopy, we observed signatures of molecular self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules in topological defects, including cooperativity, reversibility and controlled growth. We also show that nanoscopic o-rings synthesized from Saturn-ring disclinations and other molecular assembliNature materialsTopological defects in liquid crystals as templates for molecular self-assembly.PMC8919957R01 CA108467AI092004CA108467R21 AI092004Bukusoglu EMiller DSAbbott NLWang Xde Pablo JJfalseTopological defects in liquid crystals as templates for molecular self-assembly.Topological defects in liquid crystals (LCs) have been widely used to organize colloidal dispersions and template polymerization, leading to a range of assemblies, elastomers and gels. However, little is understood about molecular-level assembly processes within defects. Here, we report that nanoscopic environments defined by LC topological defects can selectively trigger processes of molecular self-assembly. By using fluorescence microscopy, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and super-resolution optical microscopy, we observed signatures of molecular self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules in topological defects, including cooperativity, reversibility and controlled growth. We also show that nanoscopic o-rings synthesized from Saturn-ring disclinations and other molecular assembli2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Jan2025-04-04T20:38:37.471Z2025-04-04T20:38:37.471ZS-EPMC89199572639032410.1038/nmat4421