Microfluidic Devices for the analysis of protein functions with monodisperse liposomes

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

In this research, we have studied a device for the efficient production of monodisperse liposomes. To prepare the liposomes, we have investigated two different methods : electroformation and conventional gentle-hydration method. We found that the liposomes produced by the conventional method were relatively small size, and several liposomes were enclosed inside another liposome. On the other hand, the liposomes formed by electroformation were mostly giant liposomes and did not enclose liposomes inside.Through these results, we have tried to make monodisperse liposomes by using microfluidic devices for emulsification, towards new technology of liposome production. It is general to change the wetting properties of the microfluidic channel for making W/O/W emulsions. Here, we have designed and fabricated axisymetric flow-focusing devices, and succeeded in making W/O/W emulsions. This method can be useful for making lipid bilayer vesicles by thinning the layer of organic solvent. Moreover, microfluidic devices are suitable for making monodisperse vesicles. We thus believe that this technology could be a route to the production of monodisperse liposomes.