Wet Nanoscale Imaging and Testing of Polymersomes

A facile methodology for the immobilization of polymersomes is demonstrated using ad-hoc synthesized, biotinylated copolymers or commercially available biotinylated phospholipids on streptavidin-decorated substrates. This allows the imaging of polymersomes using high-resolution techniques such as stimulated emission depletion microscopy and atomic force microscopy. This latter allows the gathering of other important functional parameters such as mechanical properties and surface topology, enabling characterization of these water-borne nanoparticles in wet conditions and hence in their natural environment.