Abstract:15Reconstitution of artificial cells capable of transducing extracellular signals into cytoskeletal changes is a challenge in synthetic biology that will reveal fundamental principles of nonequilibrium phenomena of cellular morphogenesis and information processing. Here, we generated a 'life-like' Synthetic Morphogenic Membrane System (SynMMS) by encapsulating a dynamic microtubule (MT) aster and a light-inducible signaling system driven by GTP/ATP 20 chemical potential into cell-sized vesicles. The biomimetic… Show more
All living matter is subject to continuous adaptation and functional optimization via natural selection. Consequentially, structures with close morphological resemblance repeatedly appear across the phylogenetic tree. How these designs emerge at the cellular level is not fully understood. Here, we explore core concepts of functional morphology and discuss its cause and consequences, with a specific focus on emerging properties of self-organizing systems as the potential driving force. We conclude with open questions and limitations that are present when studying shape–function interdependence in single cells and cellular ensembles.
All living matter is subject to continuous adaptation and functional optimization via natural selection. Consequentially, structures with close morphological resemblance repeatedly appear across the phylogenetic tree. How these designs emerge at the cellular level is not fully understood. Here, we explore core concepts of functional morphology and discuss its cause and consequences, with a specific focus on emerging properties of self-organizing systems as the potential driving force. We conclude with open questions and limitations that are present when studying shape–function interdependence in single cells and cellular ensembles.
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