National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 28(114), p. 7228-7233, 2017
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Significance Although liposomes and lipid droplets have been used for numerous applications, the fragility of the lipid membrane causes an unintentional collapse, which is problematic for advanced applications. To solve this problem, we constructed an artificial cytoskeleton with DNA nanotechnology (a DNA cytoskeleton). The DNA cytoskeleton is a DNA network formed underneath the membrane of positively charged lipids through electrostatic interactions without the need for special handling. The DNA cytoskeleton significantly improves mechanical stability and, therefore, confers tolerance against osmotic shock to liposomes like the cytoskeleton in live cells. Because of its biocompatibility and the easiness of implementing design changes, the DNA cytoskeleton could become a tool for great stabilizer of liposomes and lipid droplets.