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Inspiration from the iron gall ink leads to the efficient formation of Fe(iii)–tannic acid coacervate particles inside the phase-separated microdroplets that are derived from the aqueous PEG/dextran liquid–liquid phase separation system. This hierarchical self-assembly, in aid of the protein affinity of tannic acid, makes it possible to compartmentalize and condense proteins into a localized, compact space in the microdroplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid degradation of Fe3+-tannic acid films is achieved under mild conditions via ascorbic acid-mediated Fe3+ reduction, which overcomes the problems in the disassembly of a metal–organic complex including slow reaction rates and reaction incompatibility with living cells. The strategy of reductive disassembly is applied to degradable single-cell nanoencapsulation, providing an advanced tool for tightly controlling and manipulating the cell–material interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]