Nematode surface functionalization with hydrogel sheaths tailored in situ

Engineering the surfaces of biological organisms allows the introduction of novel functions and enhances their native functions. However, studies on surface engineering remained limited to unicellular organisms. Herein, nematode surfaces are engineered through in situ hydrogelation mediated by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) anchored to nematode cuticles. With this method, hydrogel sheaths of approximately 10-mu m thickness are fabricated from a variety of polysaccharides, proteins, and synthetic polymers. Caenorhabditis elegans and Anisakis simplex coated with a hydrogel sheath showed a negligible decrease in viability, chemotaxis and locomotion. Hydrogel sheaths containing UV-absorbable groups and catalase functioned as shields to protect nematodes from UV and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. The results also showed that hydrogel sheaths containing glucose oxi-dase have the potential to be used as living drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. The nematode function-alization method developed in this study has the potential to impact a wide range of fields from agriculture to medicine.

Automated summary

Engineering the surfaces of biological organisms can introduce novel functions and enhance their native functions. Previous studies focused on unicellular organisms, but this research successfully engineered the surfaces of nematodes. By in situ hydrogelation, a hydrogel sheath with a thickness of approximately 10 μm was fabricated, providing protection and drug delivery capabilities to the nematodes.