Issue 15, 2014

Controllable electrofusion of lipid vesicles: initiation and analysis of reactions within biomimetic containers

Abstract

We present a microfluidic device that is able to trap multiple giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and initiate electrofusion via integrated microelectrodes. PDMS posts were designed to trap and isolate two or more vesicles. Electrodes patterned onto the glass surface of the microchannels are able to apply a short, high voltage pulse across the traps for controllable electrofusion of the GUVs. The entire array of traps and electrodes are designed such that an average of 60 individual fusion experiments can be performed on-chip. An assay based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is performed to show successful lipid mixing. Not only can the device be used to record the dynamics of lipid membrane fusion, but it can be used for reaction monitoring by fusing GUVs containing reactants. We demonstrate this by fusing vesicles encapsulating femtolitre volumes of cobalt chloride or EDTA and monitoring the amount of the complexation product over time.

Graphical abstract: Controllable electrofusion of lipid vesicles: initiation and analysis of reactions within biomimetic containers

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 Apr 2014
Accepted
28 May 2014
First published
29 May 2014

Lab Chip, 2014,14, 2852-2859

Controllable electrofusion of lipid vesicles: initiation and analysis of reactions within biomimetic containers

T. Robinson, P. E. Verboket, K. Eyer and P. S. Dittrich, Lab Chip, 2014, 14, 2852 DOI: 10.1039/C4LC00460D

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