Polydiacetylene Liposomes Functionalized with Sialic Acid Bind and Colorimetrically Detect Influenza Virus

JACS:, 1995, 117, 829-830

Anke Reichert, Jon 0. Nagy, Wayne Spevak, and Deborah Charych*

Cell membranes are remarkable structures from a materials science point of view. These highly organized, self-assembled structures provide indispensable functions for cells such as molecular recognition, pumping, gating, energy conversion, and signal transduction.The design of “smart” materials based on membrane structures with specific functional properties is an emerging field of study! We have prepared synthetic, polymerizable liposomes that resemble the organization and functionalization of cell membranes and have employed them as simple colorimetric sensors. The liposomes were designed to specifically bind to influenza virus particles and, in addition, report the binding event by undergoing a visible color change. In effect, these molecular assemblies mimic cell surface molecular recognition as well as signal transduction.