Cover Feature: Self‐Emergent Protocells Generated in an Aqueous Solution with Binary Macromolecules through Liquid‐Liquid Phase Separation (ChemBioChem 23/2020). (13th November 2020) - Sakuta, Hiroki
Abstract : A cell‐like structure or protocell emerges spontaneously by simply mixing DNAs, phospholipids and two kinds of hydrophilic macromolecules: PEG and dextran (DEX). The top middle picture shows a water/water microdroplet (the DEX‐rich phase surrounded by the PEG‐rich phase) generated through the depletion effect of the different macromolecules. By the addition of DNAs to the solution, the DEX‐rich droplet autonomously takes DNAs inside (see the droplet bottom right). In the coexistence of phospholipids, they cover the droplets, and a stable phospholipid vesicle entrapping DNAs appears in a self‐organized manner (see the protocell bottom left). More information can be found in the communication by K. Takiguchi, K. Tsumoto, et al.