{
  "abstract": "Macromolecular release from synthetic cells often relies on membrane pores or channels. We explored whether internally generated osmotic stress could increase membrane permeability and promote release. Using double-emulsion microfluidics, we encapsulated an Escherichia coli cell-free expression system in Pluronic L121 polymersomes to co-express the fluorescent protein mScarlet3 and the dextranase PsDex1711 in the presence of dextran. PsDex1711-mediated dextran hydrolysis produced a greater increase in bulk osmolality than reactions without PsDex1711 DNA. Tracking hundreds of individual polymersomes showed that PsDex1711-containing populations expanded, whereas control populations contracted. The distribution of normalized fluorescence revealed a subset with lower residual fluorescence than the main population. In selected expanded polymersomes, integrated internal mScarlet3 fluorescence declined to 18-22% of peak levels, without visible membrane disruption, consistent with protein release. These findings support a proof of concept for using internal gene expression to promote macromolecular release through osmotic actuation without introducing dedicated membrane pores.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "TU Darmstadt"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "H. Liu"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Marlhens"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Schubotz"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "H. Koeppl"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/560tvq6fqwrfe.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.06.757017",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.06.757017v1.full",
  "id": "560tvq6fqwrfe",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.06.757017v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "synthetic biology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2502|Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220835650",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.06.757017v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-06",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/560tvq6fqwrfe.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:26:22Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.06.757017",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.06.757017v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:synthetic biology",
      "subfield": "systems-synthetic"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Releasing Protein Cargo from Synthetic Cells by Coupling Cell-Free Expression to Osmotic Actuation",
  "title_text": "Releasing Protein Cargo from Synthetic Cells by Coupling Cell-Free Expression to Osmotic Actuation",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:26:22Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/560tvq6fqwrfe",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}