Liposomes and polymersomes: a comparative review towards cell mimicking (original) (raw)

Author affiliations

* Corresponding authors

a Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
E-mail: wurm@mpip-mainz.mpg.de, landfest@mpip-mainz.mpg.de

b Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Wissenschaftspark Potsdam-Golm, Am Mühlenberg, 14476 Potsdam, Germany

c Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany

Abstract

Cells are integral to all forms of life due to their compartmentalization by the plasma membrane. However, living organisms are immensely complex. Thus there is a need for simplified and controllable models of life for a deeper understanding of fundamental biological processes and man-made applications. This is where the bottom-up approach of synthetic biology comes from: a stepwise assembly of biomimetic functionalities ultimately into a protocell. A fundamental feature of such an endeavor is the generation and control of model membranes such as liposomes and polymersomes. We compare and contrast liposomes and polymersomes for a better a priori choice and design of vesicles and try to understand the advantages and shortcomings associated with using one or the other in many different aspects (properties, synthesis, self-assembly, applications) and which aspects have been studied and developed with each type and update the current development in the field.

Graphical abstract: Liposomes and polymersomes: a comparative review towards cell mimicking

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Article information

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1039/C8CS00162F

Article type

Review Article

Submitted

11 Mar 2018

First published

04 Sep 2018

This article is Open Access

Creative Commons BY license

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Chem. Soc. Rev., 2018,47, 8572-8610

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Liposomes and polymersomes: a comparative review towards cell mimicking

E. Rideau, R. Dimova, P. Schwille, F. R. Wurm and K. Landfester,Chem. Soc. Rev., 2018, 47, 8572DOI: 10.1039/C8CS00162F

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