Crystallization at Droplet Interfaces for the Fabrication of Geometrically Programmed Synthetic Magnetosomes

Authors

Matthew Gromowsky, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Michael Stoller, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Maddee Rauhauser, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Marcus Judah, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Abhiteja Konda, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Christopher Jurich, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Stephen Morin, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

4-2020

Document Type

Poster

Citation

Poster presentation, UCARE Research Fair, Spring 2020, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Comments

Copyright 2020 by the authors

Abstract

Many organisms rely on the precise growth, assembly, and/or organization of inorganic crystals to achieve vital functions, for example, three-dimensional structural support (i.e., skeletal systems based on calcite) or environmental sensing (i.e., magnetosomes based on magnetite). Mimicking the production of the complex products observed in these biomineralization processes, synthetically, remains challenging. Herein, a method for the synthesis of artificial magnetosomes with programmable magnetic domains was developed. Specifically, precursors were compartmentalized inside different surfactant-stabilized aqueous-phase droplets suspended in oil and microfluidic technologies were implemented to control their interactions precisely. When reactive droplets were brought into contact with one another, a lipid bilayer formed, allowing transport of reagents between droplets. This process led to interface-confined magnetite growth. These polarized magnetic domains were used to manipulate the synthetic magnetosomes using external magnetic fields, thus providing a convenient method for droplet manipulation and transport. This method of producing synthetic magnetosomes provides a route toward useful materials with applications in areas such as drug delivery and microfluidics.