Organic/inorganic double-layered shells for multiple cytoprotection of individual living cells

The cytoprotection of individual living cells under in vitro and daily-life conditions is a prerequisite for various cell-based applications including cell therapy, cell-based sensors, regenerative medicine, and even the food industry. In this work, we use a cytocompatible two-step process to encapsulate Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a highly uniform nanometric (<100 nm) shell composed of organic poly(norepinephrine) and inorganic silica layers. The resulting cell-in-shell structure acquires multiple resistance against lytic enzyme, desiccation, and UV-C irradiation. In addition to the UV-C filtering effect of the double-layered shell, the biochemical responses of the encapsulated yeast are suggested to contribute to the observed UV-C tolerance. This work offers a chemical tool for cytoprotecting individual living cells under multiple stresses and also for studying biochemical behavior at the cellular level.