Cytocompatible Encapsulation of Individual Chlorella Cells within Titanium Dioxide Shells by a Designed Catalytic Peptide

The individual encapsulation of living cells has a great impact on the areas of single cell-based sensors and devices as well as fundamental studies in single cell-based biology. In this work, living Chlorella cells were encapsulated individually with abiological, functionalizable TiO2, by a designed catalytic peptide that was inspired by biosilicification of diatoms in nature. The bioinspired cytocompatible reaction conditions allowed the encapsulated Chlorella cells to maintain their viability and original shapes. After formation of the TiO2 shells, the shells were postfunctionalized by using catechol chemistry. Our work suggests a bioinspired approach to the interfacing of individual living cells with abiological materials in a controlled manner.