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Thermo-responsive aqueous two-phase system for two-level compartmentalization

Author

Listed:
  • Huanqing Cui

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Yage Zhang

    (Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre
    Shenzhen University)

  • Sihan Liu

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Yang Cao

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Qingming Ma

    (Qingdao University)

  • Yuan Liu

    (The University of Hong Kong
    Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre)

  • Haisong Lin

    (The University of Hong Kong
    Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre)

  • Chang Li

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Yang Xiao

    (The University of Hong Kong
    Anhui Normal University)

  • Sammer Ul Hassan

    (The University of Hong Kong
    Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre)

  • Ho Cheung Shum

    (The University of Hong Kong
    Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre)

Abstract

Hierarchical compartmentalization responding to changes in intracellular and extracellular environments is ubiquitous in living eukaryotic cells but remains a formidable task in synthetic systems. Here we report a two-level compartmentalization approach based on a thermo-responsive aqueous two-phase system (TR-ATPS) comprising poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and dextran (DEX). Liquid membraneless compartments enriched in PNIPAM are phase-separated from the continuous DEX solution via liquid-liquid phase separation at 25 °C and shrink dramatically with small second-level compartments generated at the interface, resembling the structure of colloidosome, by increasing the temperature to 35 °C. The TR-ATPS can store biomolecules, program the spatial distribution of enzymes, and accelerate the overall biochemical reaction efficiency by nearly 7-fold. The TR-ATPS inspires on-demand, stimulus-triggered spatiotemporal enrichment of biomolecules via two-level compartmentalization, creating opportunities in synthetic biology and biochemical engineering.

Suggested Citation

  • Huanqing Cui & Yage Zhang & Sihan Liu & Yang Cao & Qingming Ma & Yuan Liu & Haisong Lin & Chang Li & Yang Xiao & Sammer Ul Hassan & Ho Cheung Shum, 2024. "Thermo-responsive aqueous two-phase system for two-level compartmentalization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-51043-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51043-z
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