  Shape transformations of amphiphilic molecular assemblies induced by chemical
reaction are studied using coarse-grained molecular simulations. A binding
reaction between hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules is considered. It is
found that the reaction induces transformation of an oil droplet to a tubular
vesicle via bicelles and vesicles with discoidal arms. The discoidal arms close
into vesicles, which are subsequently fused into the tubular vesicle. Under the
chemical reaction, the bicelle-to-vesicle transition occurs at smaller sizes
than in the absence of the hydrophobic molecules. It is revealed that the
enhancement of this transition is due to embedded hydrophobic particles that
reduce the membrane bending rigidity.
