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2025 Vol.35, Issue 10

Research Paper

Metal-Organic Framework Shell Encapsulation for pH-Responsive Protection of Yeast Cells
Mi Jin Park1
,
Sang Yeong Han2
,
Sang Eun Hong1
,
Woon Jung Kim1
,
Kuk Ro Yoon1†
1Department of Chemistry, Hannam University, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea
2Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
†Corresponding author E-Mail : kryoon@hnu.kr (K. R. Yoon, Hannam Univ.)
27 October 2025. pp. 465-472
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Abstract

Encapsulating living cells within porous crystalline materials has emerged as a powerful strategy for improving cellular stability in chemically or physically harsh conditions. In this study, individual yeast cells were encapsulated with a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) crystals via a biomimetic self-assembly process. Morphological analysis using electron microscopy confirmed the successful formation of a uniform and continuous protective shell around each cell. To evaluate the cytoprotective effect of the ZIF-8 coating, the encapsulated yeast cells were exposed to a range of pH conditions (pH 2~12). Fluorescence microscopy using fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining revealed that over 50 % of the ZIF-8 encapsulated cells remained viable in alkaline environments (pH 8, 10, and 12), whereas non-encapsulated yeast cells showed 0 % viability across all tested conditions. The enhanced survival in alkaline media was attributed to the stability of the crystalline ZIF-8 shell, which remained partially intact and provided structural protection. In contrast, acidic conditions degraded the ZIF-8 shell, leading to cell membrane rupture and loss of viability. These findings demonstrate that ZIF-8 encapsulation can significantly improve the chemical resilience and survival of living yeast cells. This strategy holds great promise for applications in long-term cell preservation, transport, and pH-responsive biotechnological systems.

Keywords
single-cell nanoencapsulation
yeast cell
metal-organic framework
cytoprotection
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Information
  • Publisher :Materials Research Society of Korea
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국재료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Materials Research
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국재료학회지
  • Volume : 35
  • No :10
  • Pages :465-472
  • Received Date : 2025-05-26
  • Revised Date : 2025-06-16
  • Accepted Date : 2025-06-17
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.3740/MRSK.2025.35.10.465
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