Crystallizayion of DNA-Functionalized Nanoparticle in Giant Unilamellar Vesicles

We propose a novel generation technique of DNA-functionalized colloidal crystals, which have unique functional properties (e.g. encapsulation of molecules), inside a giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) toward the controlling the numbers of crystals introduced into the cells by cell-GUV membrane fusion. We designed and fabricated a microfluidic device to generate monodisperse water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) droplets containing the DNA-functionalized nanoparticle (DNA-NP), which is a precursor of GUV, for generation of GUV encapsulating a single crystal. We demonstrate production of W/O/W droplets encapsulating DNA-NP, collection of these droplets into microtubes, and the single crystallization of DNA-NP inside the produced W/O/W droplet through annealing process in the incubator.