Integrating artificial with natural cells to translate chemical messages that direct E. coli behaviour

Abstract

Previous efforts to control cellular behaviour have largely relied upon various forms of genetic engineering. Once the genetic content of a living cell is modified, the behaviour of that cell typically changes as well. However, other methods of cellular control are possible. All cells sense and respond to their environment. Therefore, artificial, non-living cellular mimics could be engineered to activate or repress already existing natural sensory pathways of living cells through chemical communication. Here we describe the construction of such a system. The artificial cells expand the senses of Escherichia coli by translating a chemical message that E. coli cannot sense on its own to a molecule that activates a natural cellular response. This methodology could open new opportunities in engineering cellular behaviour without exploiting genetically modified organisms.

Fabrication of nanocomposites and hybrid materials using microbial biotemplates

“…The cellular processes involved during de novo construction of artificial cells include gene expression, protein expression, self-reproduction, nutrient synthesis, and energy conversion, etc. Although it is enormously challenging to mimic natural-like cell, several single steps of these processes have been performed within a celllike compartment such as mimicked protein synthesis [67], replication of genomic RNA [68], designing of cascade reactions [69], and translated chemical messages [70]. However, these different procedures have not been combined yet; the coordination of different cellular processes is still a major challenge.…”

From Cells as Computation to Cells as Apps

“…After the pioneer work of Davis [23], based on a chemical cell (a chell) sending a signal to the bacterium Vibrio harveyi, and the more recent SB approach by Mansy [35], a research program is currently under development in our laboratory based on acyl-homoserine-lactones, which are simple quorum sensing signal molecules used by bacteria [55].…”

Construction of a liposome dialyzer for the preparation of high-value, small-volume liposome formulations

“…Many other groups have employed liposomes as bioreactors; almost all such experiments require a purification step after liposome preparation to remove unencapsulated solutes. Several examples of recent work in this field include cell-free transcription 5 and protein synthesis 6,7 , as well as employing liposomes to add sensory capabilities to cells 8 and protein selection methods 9 . Liposomes have also attracted broad interest as drug delivery platforms for delivering chemical therapeutics 10,11 and nanoparticles 12 .…”