Repository logo
 

Continuous Flow Reactors from Microfluidic Compartmentalization of Enzymes within Inorganic Microparticles.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

No Thumbnail Available

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Hakala, Tuuli A 
Bialas, Friedrich 
Toprakcioglu, Zenon  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1964-8432
Bräuer, Birgit 

Abstract

Compartmentalization and selective transport of molecular species are key aspects of chemical transformations inside the cell. In an artificial setting, the immobilization of a wide range of enzymes onto surfaces is commonly used for controlling their functionality but such approaches can restrict their efficacy and expose them to degrading environmental conditions, thus reducing their activity. Here, we employ an approach based on droplet microfluidics to generate enzyme-containing microparticles that feature an inorganic silica shell that forms a semipermeable barrier. We show that this porous shell permits selective diffusion of the substrate and product while protecting the enzymes from degradation by proteinases and maintaining their functionality over multiple reaction cycles. We illustrate the power of this approach by synthesizing microparticles that can be employed to detect glucose levels through simultaneous encapsulation of two distinct enzymes that form a controlled reaction cascade. These results demonstrate a robust, accessible, and modular approach for the formation of microparticles containing active but protected enzymes for molecular sensing applications and potential novel diagnostic platforms.

Description

Keywords

encapsulation, enzymes, glucose sensing, microfluidic flow reactor, silica microparticle, Endopeptidase K, Glucose, Humans, Microfluidic Analytical Techniques, Particle Size, Silicon Dioxide, Surface Properties

Journal Title

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1944-8244
1944-8252

Volume Title

12

Publisher

American Chemical Society (ACS)

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Royal Society (URF\R\180019)
European Research Council (337969)
European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) Marie Sk?odowska-Curie actions (675007)
Marie Skłodolwska-Curie ITN agreement No. 675007 BBSRC (T.P.J.K.) Welcome Trust (T.P.J.K.)