Fig. 2: Microdroplet architectures.
From: Complex microparticle architectures from stimuli-responsive intrinsically disordered proteins
a Depiction of the microfluidic device used to generate microparticles. b Image analysis of droplets (n = 125 droplets) reveal a high degree of monodispersity. c Partial phase diagram for POP(V)-25% illustrating the different discrete states possible during a heating and cooling cycle. d Fluorescence images of POP(V)-25% (500 µM) microdroplets during a heat-cool cycle through the states shown in (c). The metastable hysteretic range prevents dissolution of the particles until the solution temperature is lowered below the Tcp-cooling. e Confocal images (25 µm stack) of the same particles in the metastable hysteretic state—state 3. f Partial phase diagram for mixtures of POP(V)-25% (200 µM) + ELP(V4A1) (200 µM) depicting the different discrete states possible during a heat-cool cycle of this system in which the POP aggregates at a temperature below the ELP. g Fluorescent images of each state of the cycle demonstrating the formation of the fruits-on-a-vine architecture in state 3. h Confocal images of state 3 clearly depicting the ELP “fruits”. i Partial phase diagram of ELP(V) (500 µM) + POP(V1A4)-25% (100 µM) depicting the states available during a heat-cool cycle. j Fluorescent images of each state of the cycle. Due to the hysteretic nature of the POP and its lower Tcp-cooling than the Tcp of the ELP, the ELP dissolves first upon cooling, diffusing out and leaving a network of hollow POP shells. k Confocal images of core-shell networks formed in state 3. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.
