Hybrid materials from amphiphilic block copolymers and membrane proteins.
Self-assembly of reactive amphiphilic block copolymers is used to prepare nanostructured hydrogels with exceptional permeability properties, vesicular structures and planar, freestanding membranes in aqueous solution. Although the underlying block copolymer membranes are two-three-fold thicker than conventional lipid bilayers, they can be regarded as mimetic of biological membranes and can be used as a matrix for membrane-spanning proteins. Surprisingly, the proteins remain functional, despite the extreme thickness of the membranes and even after polymerization of the reactive block copolymers. The unique combination of block copolymers with membrane proteins allows the preparation of mechanically stable, defect-free membranes and nanocapsules that have highly selective permeability and/or specific recognition sites. This is documented by some representative examples.
Nardin
Corinne
C
Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Basel, Switzerland.
Meier
Wolfgang
W
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D019149:Bioreactors; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water