Budding-like division of all-aqueous emulsion droplets modulated by networks of protein nanofibrils.

Authors
Michaels, Thomas CT 
Ma, Qingming 
Liu, Zhou 
Yuan, Hao 

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Article
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Abstract

Networks of natural protein nanofibrils, such as cytoskeletal filaments, control the shape and the division of cells, yet mimicking this functionality in a synthetic setting has proved challenging. Here, we demonstrate that artificial networks of protein nanofibrils can induce controlled deformation and division of all-aqueous emulsion droplets with budding-like morphologies. We show that this process is driven by the difference in the immersional wetting energy of the nanofibril network, and that both the size and the number of the daughter droplets formed during division can be controlled by modulating the fibril concentration and the chemical properties of the fibril network. Our results demonstrate a route for achieving biomimetic division with synthetic self-assembling fibrils and offer an engineered approach to regulate the morphology of protein gels.

Publication Date
2018-05-29
Online Publication Date
2018-05-29
Acceptance Date
2018-04-30
Keywords
Artificial Cells, Cell Shape, Emulsions, Gels, Nanofibers, Water
Journal Title
Nat Commun
Journal ISSN
2041-1723
2041-1723
Volume Title
9
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
European Research Council (337969)