Polymersome stomatocytes: controlled shape transformation in polymer vesicles

A controllable shape transformation of polymer vesicles (polymersomes) constructed from block copolymers of which the hydrophobic part is a high-molecular-weight glassy segment is reported. The findings for the morphological diversity of giant liposomes and the physical robustness of polymersomes could be used as general strategy to realize unusual nanostructures in a predictable manner.