title: Multiple polymersomes for programmed release of multiple components.
abstract: Long-term storage and controlled release of multiple components while avoiding cross-contamination have potentially important applications for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Polymersomes are very promising delivery vehicles but cannot be used to encapsulate multiple independent components and release them in a controlled manner. Here, we report a microfluidic approach to produce multiple polymersomes, or polymersomes-in-polymersome by design, enabling encapsulation and programmed release of multiple components. Monodisperse polymersomes are prepared from templates of double-emulsion drops, which in turn are injected as the innermost phase to form the second level of double-emulsion drops, producing double polymersomes. Using the same strategy, higher-order polymersomes are also prepared. In addition, incorporation of hydrophobic homopolymer into the different bilayers of the multiple polymersomes enables controlled and sequential dissociation of the different bilayer membranes in a programmed fashion. The high encapsulation efficiency of this microfluidic approach, as well as its programmability and the biocompatibility of the materials used to form the polymersomes, will provide new opportunities for practical delivery systems of multiple components.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.
authors.forename: Shin-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ho Cheung
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Shum
authors.forename: Jin Woong
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun-Cheol
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Weitz
mesh_terms: D007773:Lactates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C088513:poly(lactic acid-ethylene glycol); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols