Biodegradable bubble moves away from lactic acid without a motor—a step toward artificial cells
A tiny biodegradable bubble can move away from a chemical on its own, without a motor. Living cells need complex molecular machinery to do this. This discovery by researchers led by chemist Daniela Wilson at Radboud University, together with colleagues at Durham University, is a step toward artificial cells with lifelike behavior and could, in the long term, provide an interesting approach for…
Researchers have developed a biodegradable bubble that moves on its own without the need for a motor, bringing us closer to artificial cells with lifelike behavior. This discovery, led by chemist Daniela Wilson at Radboud University and colleagues at Durham University, could eventually aid in targeted drug delivery. Living cells possess complex molecular machinery to detect chemicals and move accordingly; however, artificial particles typically require additional components, such as enzymes or catalysts, to function similarly.
The artificial bubble, a hollow sphere made of biodegradable polymer PLA, moves away from higher concentrations of lactic acid due to its flexible skin. When lactic acid binds to the polymer chains in the bubble's skin, they stretch out and become more exposed to water, causing the two sides of the bubble to behave differently toward the water.
This imbalance generates a tiny flow along the surface, propelling the bubble away from the acid. Rigid polystyrene bubbles do not exhibit this behavior, making the PLA bubble unique. While this advancement is still in the early stages and has not yet been tested in biological or medical settings, it opens up potential applications in targeted drug delivery.
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