Researchers from the SNI network have discovered a novel way to fuse lipid vesicles at neutral pH. By harnessing a fragment of the diphtheria toxin, the team achieved vesicle membrane fusion without the need for pre-treatment or harsh conditions. Their work, recently published in Communications Chemistry, opens the door to new applications in lab-on-a-chip technologies, biosensors, and artificial cell prototypes.
A toxin with a useful twist: Diphtheria fragment merges lipid vesicles at neutral pH
