Abstract

When lipid-directed assembly of silicic acid precursors is conducted in the presence of living cells, the cells intervene, surrounding themselves with a fluid, multilayered lipid vesicle that interfaces coherently with an ordered silica mesophase. This bio/nano interface is unique in that its uniform nanostructure prevents excessive drying of water, maintaining cell viability, yet provides accessibility of the cell surface to small molecules. In comparison to existing immobilization schemes, such as encapsulation within sol-gel matrices, we show this interface to form by an active interplay between the living cell and surrounding matrix, which we refer to as cell-directed assembly (CDA). Importantly and perhaps uniquely, CDA creates a localized nanostructured microenvironment within which three-dimensional chemical gradients are established and maintained.

Keywords

NanotechnologySilicic acidCellVesicleMesophaseChemistryNanostructureNano-Self-assemblyBiophysicsMaterials scienceBiochemistryMembraneBiologyOrganic chemistry

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Publication Info

Year
2007
Type
article
Volume
40
Issue
9
Pages
836-845
Citations
63
Access
Closed

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Helen K. Baca, Eric C. Carnes, Seema Singh et al. (2007). Cell-Directed Assembly of Bio/Nano Interfaces—A New Scheme for Cell Immobilization. Accounts of Chemical Research , 40 (9) , 836-845. https://doi.org/10.1021/ar600027u

Identifiers

DOI
10.1021/ar600027u