Synthetic polyion-counterion transport systems in polymersomes and gels

Abstract

Transport across the membranes of polymersomes remains difficult in part due to the great thickness of the polymer bilayers. Here, we report that dynamic polyion-counterion transport systems are active in fluorogenic polymersomes composed of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly(2-methyloxazoline) (PDMS-PMOXA). These results suggest that counterion-activated calf-thymus DNA can act as cation carrier that moves not only across lipid bilayer and bulk chloroform membranes but also across the “plastic” membranes of polymersomes. Compared to egg yolk phosophatidylcholine (EYPC) lipsosomes, activities and activator scope in PDMS-PMOXA polymersomes are clearly reduced. Embedded in agar gel matrices, fluorogenic PDMS-PMOXA polymersomes respond reliably to polyion-counterion transporters, with high contrast, high stability and preserved selectivity. Compared to standard EYPC liposomes, it cannot be said that PDMS-PMOXA polymersomes are better. However, they are different, and this difference could be interesting for the development of sensing devices.