Creation of Functional Giant Vesicles through Approaches of Synthetic Chemistry

Abstract

Micrometer-sized vesicles (giant vesicles) have drawn considerable attention as both the functional materials and model for the biological membrane. Here, by using synthetic amphiphiles having hydrolysable linkages, we have demonstrated two unique functions of giant vesicles: temperature-dependent morphological changes and durability under a wide pH range from basic to acidic conditions. The mechanism of these dynamics has been attributed to changes in the molecular packing of the vesicle membranes due to variations in amphiphile composition induced by the non-enzymatic hydrolysis. The current findings may therefore enable more precise control of membrane properties, which may lead to the development of new materials whose properties can be designable from the viewpoint of supramolecular chemistry.