Issue 6, 2019

Lipid coated liquid crystal droplets for the on-chip detection of antimicrobial peptides

Abstract

We describe a novel biosensor based on phospholipid-coated nematic liquid crystal (LC) droplets and demonstrate the detection of Smp43, a model antimicrobial peptide (AMP) from the venom of North African scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus. Mono-disperse lipid-coated LC droplets of diameter 16.7 ± 0.2 μm were generated using PDMS microfluidic devices with a flow-focusing configuration and were the target for AMPs. The droplets were trapped in a bespoke microfluidic trap structure and were simultaneously treated with Smp43 at gradient concentrations in six different chambers. The disruption of the lipid monolayer by the Smp43 was detected (<6 μM) at concentrations well within its biologically active range, indicated by a dramatic change in the appearance of the droplets associated with the transition from a typical radial configuration to a bipolar configuration, which is readily observed by polarizing microscopy. This suggests the system has feasibility as a drug-discovery screening tool. Further, compared to previously reported LC droplet biosensors, this LC droplet biosensor with a lipid coating is more biologically relevant and its ease of use in detecting membrane-related biological processes and interactions has the potential for development as a reliable, low-cost and disposable point of care diagnostic tool.

Graphical abstract: Lipid coated liquid crystal droplets for the on-chip detection of antimicrobial peptides

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 11 2018
Accepted
28 1 2019
First published
20 2 2019
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Lab Chip, 2019,19, 1082-1089

Lipid coated liquid crystal droplets for the on-chip detection of antimicrobial peptides

P. Bao, D. A. Paterson, P. L. Harrison, K. Miller, S. Peyman, J. C. Jones, J. Sandoe, S. D. Evans, R. J. Bushby and H. F. Gleeson, Lab Chip, 2019, 19, 1082 DOI: 10.1039/C8LC01291A

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