Sorting catalytically active polymersome nanoreactors by flow cytometry

A strategy that involves a versatile one-step preparation procedure of enzyme filled porous and stable polymeric catalytically active nanoreactors (polymersomes) by flow cytometry was reported. A 1:1 mixture of the polymerase dispersions was analyzed in a Coulter Epics Elite Flow Cytometer, while gating on forward and side-angle scatter was used to eliminate larger aggregates. The polymersomes show background fluorescence intensity before reacting with CFDA and after the reaction all display a similar increase in fluorescence intensity, indicating a comparable level of fluorescent product formed by the enzyme molecules. Microscopic images show the presence of polymersomes in fluorescence negative and positive fractions, indicating that polymersomes can be sorted based on their catalytic activity while maintaining structural integrity.