Self-Assembled Metal–Organic Complexes for Thermally Reversible Permeabilization of Cell Membranes

Natural and synthetic membrane active molecules increase the permeability of cell membranes. This can help cells combat multidrug efflux pumps as well as improve signaling and transfection. In this work, thermoresponsive metal–organic complexes (MOCs) have been constructed to transport cell impermeable cargo across the membrane through a pore-aiding assembly. These MOCs can be reversibly controlled as they collapse when the temperature is increased and are simultaneously regenerated when the system is cooled down to room temperature. These ON/OFF molecular valves can be potentially used to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells and as building blocks for artificial cells.