Abstract
This paper is a report on our research efforts to polymerize encapsulated actin within the liposome for embodiment of a micro sized robot that mimics locomotion of an amoeba. We employed an electroporation technique to control polymerization in a liposome. In order to optimize polymerization and depolymerization in the liposome, we compared the time of polymerization and depolymerization with various concentration of crown ether. For that purpose, we synthesized the liposome which contained the azobenzene linked crown ether conjugated actin protein since azobenzene linked crown ether held the K+ ion by exposure of UV light. This exposure disturbed actin polymerization. As a result, the growth and degeneration of the liposome could be controlled by external stimuli which were UV light. Therefore, we could confirm the strategy is feasible to develop an amoeba-like micro robot based on control of a liposome. The major merit of the control by UV light was that we did not need to inject proteins which then induced polymerization and depolymerization of the actin protein.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 843-848 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical |
Volume | 134 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 Sept 25 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research has been supported by the Intelligent Microsystem Center (IMC; http://www.microsystem.re.kr ), which carries out one of the 21st century's Frontier R&D Projects sponsored by the Korea Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy. We thank the reviewers for the helpful comments and Dr. S. Adam Hacking for the proofreading.
Keywords
- Actin filament
- Azobenzene
- Control polymerization
- Crown ether
- Liposome
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Instrumentation
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Metals and Alloys
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Materials Chemistry