title: Tubular polymersomes: a cross-linker-induced shape transformation.
abstract: Polymersomes, polymeric vesicles constructed of block copolymers, can undergo a sphere-to-tubule transition under the influence of a chemical modification of the polymeric bilayer. A strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) reaction between azide handles inside the hydrophobic domain of the membrane and an excess of a bicyclo[6.1.0]nonyne (BCN)-cross-linker causes the vesicle to stretch in one dimension. Tubular polymersomes up to 2 μm in length can be obtained with this shape transformation. The introduction of a cleavable cross-linker makes this process reversible and opens the way for future drug delivery applications.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen , Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Matthijs C M
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: van Oers
authors.forename: Floris P J T
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Rutjes
authors.forename: Jan C M
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: van Hest