MAGNETICALLY-DRIVEN LIPOSOME ASSEMBLIES

We present a manipulation technique of liposome assemblies using magnetic force.Multicellular-type molecular robots that are constructed with liposome assemblies have a potential to be applied as implantable biocomputer and drug delivery systems.However, it is challenging to manipulate liposome assemblies by biomolecular based actuators such as molecular motors.In this study, we constructed magnetic bead/liposome complexes and assembled multiple magnetic bead/liposome complexes using DNA-based adhesion molecules.Then, we demonstrated to manipulate the liposome assemblies by magnetic force.We believe that the proposed manipulation technique will be a useful method for manipulating multicellular-type molecular robot inside the body.Liposome assemblies, which are constructed by connecting multiple liposomes, are interested in fields of artificial cells, bioreactors, and molecular robots [1,2].Although we recently developed a microfluidic device to construct liposome assemblies with specific shapes [3], manipulation techniques of liposome assemblies inside the body are required to be applied as multicellular-type molecular robots for implantable biocomputer and drug delivery systems.Here, we report the manipulation technique for liposome assemblies using external magnetic fields (Fig. 1).