Application of block copolymer vesicles as conductive nanoreactors for nanotechnology

Suzanne Kuiper

Liposomes

Natural cells are a good example of nature’s way of protecting sensitive biomolecules such as enzymes, and confine them in one space. In nature the cell uses a phospholipid bilayer for this purpose. Phospholipids form vesicular structures called liposomes that are used in various commercial applications, such as drug delivery systems and cosmetics

Polymersomes

Instead of using phospholipds to construct vesicles, it is also possible to use amphiphilic block-copolymers to form nanocontainers known as polymersomes. Polymersomes have the advantage of being more stable than liposomes and can therefore form a more robust system to confine and protect sensitive biomolecules.
In our group we have shown that porous polymersomes can be used to encapsulate enzymes which still retain their activity and are protected from proteases.

Schematic representation of polymersome Thiophene functionalities (yellow) can be crosslinked to create conductivity

Current studies are being directed at the measurement of a current generated by the encapsulated enzyme glucose oxidase upon the addition of glucose solution, toward a functional nano fuel cell