Open AccessChemical amplification with encapsulated reagents
Author(s) -
Jian Chen,
Steffi Körner,
Stephen L. Craig,
Shirley Lin,
Dmitry M. Rudkevich,
Julius Rebek
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.052706499
Subject(s) - autocatalysis , reagent , compartmentalization (fire protection) , chemistry , capsule , biophysics , chemical reaction , combinatorial chemistry , biochemistry , organic chemistry , biology , enzyme , catalysis , botany
Autocatalysis and chemical amplification are characteristic properties of living systems, and they give rise to behaviors such as increased sensitivity, responsiveness, and self-replication. Here we report a synthetic system in which a unique form of compartmentalization leads to nonlinear, autocatalytic behavior. The compartment is a reversibly formed capsule in which a reagent is sequestered. Reaction products displace the reagent from the capsule into solution and the reaction rate is accelerated. The resulting self-regulation is sensitive to the highly selective molecular recognition properties of the capsule.