Novel engineered ion channel provides controllable ion permeability for polyelectrolyte microcapsules coated with a lipid membrane

Publication Type:
Journal Article
Citation:
Advanced Functional Materials, 2009, 19 (2), pp. 201 - 208
Issue Date:
2009-01-23
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The development of nanostructured microcapsules based on a biomimetic lipid bilayer membrane (BLM) coating of poIy(sodium styrenesutfbnate) (PSS)/poIy(alIylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) polyelectrolyte hollow microcapsules is reported. A novel engineered ion channel, gramicidin (bisgA), incorporated into the lipid membrane coating provides a functional capability to control transport across the microcapsule wall. The microcapsules provide transport and permeation for drug-analog neutral species, as well as positively and negatively charged ionic species. This controlled transport can be tuned for selective release biomimetically by controlling the gating of incorporated bis-gA ion channels. This system provides a platform for the creation of "smart" biomimetic delivery vessels for the effective and selective therapeutic delivery and targeting of drugs. © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.
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