Artificial cells: from basic science to applications

Abstract

Artificial cells have attracted much attention as substitutes for natural cells. There are many different forms of artificial cells with many different definitions. They can be integral biological cell imitators with cell-like structures and exhibit some of the key characteristics of living cells. Alternatively, they can be engineered materials that only mimic some of the properties of cells, such as surface characteristics, shapes, morphology, or a few specific functions. These artificial cells can have applications in many fields from medicine to environment, and may be useful in constructing the theory of the origin of life. However, even the simplest unicellular organisms are extremely complex and synthesis of living artificial cells from inanimate components seems very daunting. Nevertheless, recent progress in the formulation of artificial cells ranging from simple protocells and synthetic cells to cell-mimic particles, suggests that the construction of living life is now not an unrealistic goal. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the latest developments in the construction and application of artificial cells, as well as highlight the current problems, limitations, challenges and opportunities in this field.

Barcoding biological reactions with DNA-functionalized vesicles

“…[7,[67][68][69][70][71] Genetic circuitry can be harnessed in cell-free environments in order to produce av ariety of biological molecules. [7,[67][68][69][70][71] Genetic circuitry can be harnessed in cell-free environments in order to produce av ariety of biological molecules.…”

Stabilization of All‐in‐Water Emulsions To Form Capsules as Artificial Cells

“…[56] This last aspect has been widely studied in the case of fatty acid based protocells, [57][58][59] but no other capsules have been shownt og row and divide, yet. If one wants to produce artificial cells, such capsules should be drastically more evolved, capable of developing a minimal set of biological events that occur in cells, in other words, lifelike activity.T his includes at least DNA and RNA replication;e nzymatica ctivities to produce energy (metabolism) and proteins (from DNA);s elective uptake and release of nutrients through the shell;a nd, eventually,g rowth and self-division.…”

Artificial Signal Transduction across Membranes

“…Anion, cation and salt co-transport was realised in the 1990s and early 2000s by several groups using crown ethers, calix [4]pyrroles,c alix-and pillararenes, and steroidd erivatives such as cholapods, which are tuneable bile acids that display strong Cl À affinities. [30,31] Notable examples include the tubular structures of Gokel's hydraphiles, consisting of three crown ethers linked through aliphatic chains [9,32,33] (Figure 2A), and bolaamphiphile designsb yF yles ( Figure 2B), who reportedc onductances between 10 and 30 picosiemens (pS).…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Researchers workingt owards different goals might have very different constraints on what components would be considered appropriate for an artificial cell. Such outcomese ncompass understandingp rebiotic life, building model systemst od issect the rules governing cell biology, developing new methodsf or biological manufacturing, creating new smart therapeuticsa nd biological computers.…”