Wet Nanoscale Imaging and Testing of Polymersomes

Abstract

A facile methodology for the immobilization of polymersomes is demo­nstrated using ad-hoc synthesized, biotinylated copolymers or commercially available biotinylated phospholipids on streptavidin-decorated substrates. This allows the imaging of polymersomes using high-resolution techniques such as stimulated emission depletion microscopy and atomic force microscopy. This latter allows the gathering of other important functional parameters such as mechanical properties and surface topology, enabling characterization of these water-borne nanoparticles in wet conditions and hence in their natural environment. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.