Synthetic Cells: From Simple Bio‐Inspired Modules to Sophisticated Integrated Systems

Guindani, Camila; Silva, Lucas Caire da; Cao, Shoupeng; Ivanov, Tsvetomir; Landfester, Katharina

doi:10.1002/ange.202110855

Cited by 26 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 132 publications

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“…These cells are typically constructed using biomolecular components such as DNA, RNA, proteins, small molecules and lipids, but can also incorporate abiotic components and supramolecular machineries [1]. The assembly of these components into rationally designed microsystems leads to the emergence of new properties and life-like functionalities [2].…”

Section: Synthetic Cells: a Brave New 'Bio' Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

What it means to be alive: a synthetic cell perspective

Elani

Seddon

2023

Interface Focus.

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Advances in bottom-up synthetic biology offer the exciting—albeit contentious—prospect of transitioning bio-science researchers from passive observers of life to potential creators of it. Synthetic cells closely emulate the attributes of their biological counterparts. These rationally designed microsystems exhibit emergent properties and life-like functionalities. They can therefore be used as simplified cell models to decipher the rules of life, and as programmable biologically powered micromachines for application in healthcare and biotechnology more broadly. While there is a consensus that current synthetic cells are not yet ‘living’, the question of what defines ‘aliveness’ is gaining increasing relevance. Exploring this concept necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, where scientists from across domains in the physical, life, engineering and social sciences participate in community-level discussions, together with the acceptance of a set of criteria which defines a living system. Achieving a widely accepted definition of ‘living’ represents a possible mission-oriented endpoint to the synthetic cell endeavour, uniting the community towards a common goal. As the field evolves, researchers must address regulatory, ethical, societal and public perception implications, while fostering collaborative efforts to harness the transformative potential of synthetic cells.

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Section: Synthetic Cells: a Brave New 'Bio' Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

What it means to be alive: a synthetic cell perspective

Elani

Seddon

2023

Interface Focus.

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“…Cells are the basic building blocks of life. Naturally occurring cells are complex membrane-bound entities containing various fundamental molecules that are required to keep an organism alive. , In order to study the origins of life and evolutionary processes, artificial replications of the first primitive cells were developed, called synthetic or artificial cells. , Thus, protocells can be defined as chemical systems designed to mimic the structure, behavior, and functions of natural cells . Ganti’s chemoton model states that for an artificial cell to describe life, it must contain a chemical boundary system (such as lipid membrane), metabolic units, and self-replicating machinery. ,, It may also include mechanisms for environmental adaptivity as well as growth and division.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2,3 Thus, protocells can be defined as chemical systems designed to mimic the structure, behavior, and functions of natural cells. 4 Ganti's chemoton model states that for an artificial cell to describe life, it must contain a chemical boundary system (such as lipid membrane), metabolic units, and self-replicating machinery. 1,5,6 It may also include mechanisms for environmental adaptivity as well as growth and division.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motility of Synthetic Cells from Engineered Lipids

Shrivastava,

Du,

Adepu

et al. 2023

ACS Synth. Biol.

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Synthetic cells are artificial systems that resemble natural cells. Significant efforts have been made over the years to construct synthetic protocells that can mimic biological mechanisms and perform various complex processes. These include compartmentalization, metabolism, energy supply, communication, and gene reproduction. Cell motility is also of great importance, as nature uses elegant mechanisms for intracellular trafficking, immune response, and embryogenesis. In this review, we discuss the motility of synthetic cells made from lipid vesicles and relevant molecular mechanisms. Synthetic cell motion may be classified into surface-based or solution-based depending on whether it involves interactions with surfaces or movement in fluids. Collective migration behaviors have also been demonstrated. The swarm motion requires additional mechanisms for intercellular signaling and directional motility that enable communication and coordination among the synthetic vesicles. In addition, intracellular trafficking for molecular transport has been reconstituted in minimal cells with the help of DNA nanotechnology. These efforts demonstrate synthetic cells that can move, detect, respond, and interact. We envision that new developments in protocell motility will enhance our understanding of biological processes and be instrumental in bioengineering and therapeutic applications.

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“…Synthetic biology and systems chemistry are fast-growing disciplines that aim to engineer synthetic systems with features that mimic the complexity of life [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The ultimate goal is the construction of artificial (minimal) cells able to accomplish complex tasks in a controlled fashion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light-Switchable Membrane Permeability in Giant Unilamellar Vesicles

et al. 2022

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In this work, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) were synthesized by blending the natural phospholipid 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) with a photoswitchable amphiphile (1) that undergoes photoisomerization upon irradiation with UV-A (E to Z) and blue (Z to E) light. The mixed vesicles showed marked changes in behavior in response to UV light, including changes in morphology and the opening of pores. The fine control of membrane permeability with consequent cargo release could be attained by modulating either the UV irradiation intensity or the membrane composition. As a proof of concept, the photocontrolled release of sucrose from mixed GUVs is demonstrated using microscopy (phase contrast) and confocal studies. The permeability of the GUVs to sucrose could be increased to ~4 × 10–2 μm/s when the system was illuminated by UV light. With respect to previously reported systems (entirely composed of synthetic amphiphiles), our findings demonstrate the potential of photosensitive GUVs that are mainly composed of natural lipids to be used in medical and biomedical applications, such as targeted drug delivery and localized topical treatments.

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Synthetic Cells: From Simple Bio‐Inspired Modules to Sophisticated Integrated Systems

Cited by 26 publications

References 132 publications

What it means to be alive: a synthetic cell perspective

What it means to be alive: a synthetic cell perspective

Motility of Synthetic Cells from Engineered Lipids

Light-Switchable Membrane Permeability in Giant Unilamellar Vesicles

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