Although many systems that involve protocell–protocell interactions have been developed, there are fewer reports of protocell–environment interactive systems. Now, helical hydrogel filaments—in which enzyme-containing proteinosomes are immobilized—have been shown to contract and expand as the local chemical environment changes. Enzyme processing regulates the chemomechanical responses to generate different modes of actuation in the soft microstructures.
- Ning Gao
- Mei Li
- Stephen Mann