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

Author

Listed:
  • Yang Song

    (The University of Hong Kong
    Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Thomas C. T. Michaels

    (University of Cambridge
    Harvard University)

  • Qingming Ma

    (The University of Hong Kong
    HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI))

  • Zhou Liu

    (The University of Hong Kong
    HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI))

  • Hao Yuan

    (The University of Hong Kong
    HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI))

  • Shuichi Takayama

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Tuomas P. J. Knowles

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Ho Cheung Shum

    (The University of Hong Kong
    HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI))

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang Song & Thomas C. T. Michaels & Qingming Ma & Zhou Liu & Hao Yuan & Shuichi Takayama & Tuomas P. J. Knowles & Ho Cheung Shum, 2018. "Budding-like division of all-aqueous emulsion droplets modulated by networks of protein nanofibrils," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-04510-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04510-3
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Jin Li & William D. Jamieson & Pantelitsa Dimitriou & Wen Xu & Paul Rohde & Boris Martinac & Matthew Baker & Bruce W. Drinkwater & Oliver K. Castell & David A. Barrow, 2022. "Building programmable multicompartment artificial cells incorporating remotely activated protein channels using microfluidics and acoustic levitation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Richard Booth & Ignacio Insua & Sahnawaz Ahmed & Alicia Rioboo & Javier Montenegro, 2021. "Supramolecular fibrillation of peptide amphiphiles induces environmental responses in aqueous droplets," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.

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