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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.11.17.468707

A multiplexed cell-free assay to screen for antimicrobial peptides in double emulsion droplets

Nuti, N.·Rottmann, P.·Stucki, A.·Koch, P.·Panke, S.·Dittrich, P. S.
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Abstract

The global surge in bacterial resistance against traditional antibiotics triggered intensive research for novel compounds, with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) identified as a promising candidate. Automated methods to systematically generate and screen AMPs according to their membrane preference, however, are still lacking. We introduce a novel microfluidic system for the simultaneous cell-free production and screening of AMPs for their membrane specificity. On our device, AMPs are cell-free produced within water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion droplets, generated at high frequency. Within each droplet, the peptides can interact with different classes of co-encapsulated liposomes, generating a membrane-specific fluorescent signal. The double emulsions can be incubated and observed in a hydrodynamic trapping array or analysed via flow cytometry. Our approach provides a valuable tool for the discovery and development of membrane-active antimicrobials.

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Nuti, N., Rottmann, P., Stucki, A., Koch, P., Panke, S., Dittrich, P. S.. 2021-11-19. A multiplexed cell-free assay to screen for antimicrobial peptides in double emulsion droplets. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.17.468707

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