Aqueous phase separation in giant vesicles

Marcus R. Helfrich, Lauren K. Mangeney-Slavin, M. Scott Long, Karrera Y. Djoko, Christine D. Keating

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

82 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report the synthesis and initial characterization of ∼10 μm diameter lipid vesicles that contain two distinct aqueous phases. The aqueous two-phase system is a dextran/poly(ethylene glycol) solution that exhibits temperature-dependent phase behavior. Vesicles were prepared above the phase transition temperature of the polymer solution. Upon cooling to room temperature, the polymer solution phase separated both within the vesicles and in the bulk solution. The location of poly(ethylene glycol)-rich and dextran-rich phases was determined by fluorescence microscopy. These structures are exciting in that they enable for the first time the interior volume of liposomes to be structured.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)13374-13375
Number of pages2
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume124
Issue number45
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 13 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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