Mild Nanoencapsulation of Single Mammalian Cell by Surface Initiated Polymerization

Abstract

A mild and convenient strategy for single-cell encapsulation was developed. It relied on cell surface-initiated in situ polymerization via the Michael reaction following chemical reduction. By preventing macro-external penetration and enabling nutrient/metabolite diffusion, the "cell-in-shell" structures ensured the cell's native function and viability.