Methods for making giant vesicles and their use

Abstract

This application is directed to methods which allow for encapsulation of an array of biological materials under physiological conditions that are relevant given a biological context and the compositions made using those methods. These reconstituted biological materials encompass: a) purified proteins that can bind to the lipid membranes inside and outside of vesicles based on the electrostatic charge; b) purified cytosolic proteins that position themselves in the lumen of the vesicles, c) mammalian cell extracts with an array of cytosolic protein content, among other contents and d) small biological molecules such as DNA and RNA as well as fluorescent dyes/probes. These vesicles can be used to simulate cells in drug discovery methods as well as useful in administering drugs and other compositions to cells in vitro and in vivo.

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