The Encapsulation of proteins into coacervate including dynamic polymer network

Abstract

Coacervation is a liquid-liquid phase separation phenomenon observed in aqueous solutions of polymers into a concentrated polymer phase and a dilute phase. The concentrated phase is called coacervate. In our cells, coacervates compartmentalize proteins and play an important role in homeostasis. Inside the coacervate, the molecular interactions form dynamic network that determines the properties of the coacervate. Therefore, research has been conducted to fabricate coacervates with controlled properties using artificial polymers and to encapsulate proteins. In particular, the vulnerability to salt is a major issue in the application of ionic polymeric coacervates to protein delivery systems. Here, we will introduce the dynamics of coacervates made from artificial polymers and recent studies on the use of coacervates as a substrate for protein encapsulation to provide salt resistance.