Photopolymerization-Induced Polymersome Rupture.

Poly(butadiene)- b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PBut- b-PEO) giant polymersomes were prepared using an emulsion-centrifugation method. The impact of a fast decrease of the osmotic pressure inside the lumen of giant PBut- b-PEO vesicles was studied by confocal microscopy. This osmotic imbalance was created by performing the photoinduced polymerization of acrylamide inside these giant polymersomes, mimicking cell-like confinement.

Photo-triggered polymer nanomedicines: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic applications.

The use of nanotechnology to improve treatment efficacy and reduce side effects is central to nanomedicine. In this context, stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems (DDS) such as chemical/physical gels or nanoparticles such as polymersomes, micelles or nanogels are particularly promising and are the focus of this review. Several stimuli have been considered but light as an exogenous trigger presents many advantages that are pertinent for clinical applications such as high spatial and temporal control and low cost.

Synthetic water soluble di-/tritopic molecular receptors exhibiting Ca/Mg exchange.

Structural integration of two synthetic water soluble receptors for Ca and Mg, namely 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) and o-aminophenol-N,N,O-triacetic acid (APTRA), respectively, gave novel di- and tritopic ionophores (1 and 2). As Mg and Ca cannot be simultaneously complexed by the receptors, allosteric control of complexation results. Potentiometric measurements established stepwise protonation constants and showed high affinity for Ca (log K = 6.

Polymersome Popping by Light-Induced Osmotic Shock under Temporal, Spatial, and Spectral Control.

The light-triggered, programmable rupture of cell-sized vesicles is described, with particular emphasis on self-assembled polymersome capsules. The mechanism involves a hypotonic osmotic imbalance created by the accumulation of photogenerated species inside the lumen, which cannot be compensated owing to the low water permeability of the membrane. This simple and versatile mechanism can be adapted to a wealth of hydrosoluble molecules, which are either able to generate reactive oxygen species or undergo photocleavage.