Prof.dr. Dongsheng Liu: Preparation of Vesicles with Programmed Geometry and Dimensions via Frame-Guided Assembly

Abstract

In molecular self-assembly molecules form organized structures or patterns. The control of the self-assembly process is an important and challenging topic. Inspired by the cytoskeletal-membrane protein lipid bilayer system that determines the shape of eukaryotic cells, we developed a frameguided assembly process as a general strategy to prepare heterovesicles with programmed geometry and dimensions. This method offers greater control over self-assembly which may benefit the understanding of the formation mechanism as well as the functions of the cell membrane.

Most importantly, our recent studies show that the rule of ‘frame guided assembly’ could be applied to various materials such as block copolymers, small molecules including surfactants and lipids . These results demonstrated that the strategy is a general method in self-assembly.