Bottom-Up Synthesis of Artificial Cells: Recent Highlights and Future Challenges

Abstract

The bottom-up approach in synthetic biology aims to create molecular ensembles that reproduce the organization and functions of living organisms and strives to integrate them in a modular and hierarchical fashion toward the basic unit of life—the cell—and beyond. This young field stands on the shoulders of fundamental research in molecular biology and biochemistry, next to synthetic chemistry, and, augmented by an engineering framework, has seen tremendous progress in recent years thanks to multiple technological and scientific advancements. In this timely review of the research over the past decade, we focus on three essential features of living cells: the ability to self-reproduce via recursive cycles of growth and division, the harnessing of energy to drive cellular processes, and the assembly of metabolic pathways. In addition, we cover the increasing efforts to establish multicellular systems via different communication strategies and critically evaluate the potential applications.

Vesicle-based artificial cells: materials, construction methods and applications

“…However, these discrete functions need to be further integrated to reach a full-scene, higher-level function, in which the intercellular communication plays a key role in providing nutrients and energy for the isolated artificial cells. In this way, work on artificial cells may provide new tools to address questions and challenges in biology and medicine, 21 for example, regarding the roles of signal transduction and cellular communication in healthy processes as well as the development of diseases. A well-defined artificial cell is also aimed at deconstructing the complex function of cellular components from the interplay of multiple factors, trying to provide insights into the cell system from the viewpoint of synthetic biology.…”

Reaction-diffusion patterning of DNA-based artificial cells

“…[1][2][3] Despite being still far from the complexity of live cells, ACs are regarded as promising technological platforms for personalized healthcare, where cell-like microdevices could operate in vivo, detect disease-related biomarkers and respond by synthesizing and releasing therapeutic agents, potentially resulting in minimally toxic and e cient treatments. 1,[4][5][6][7] Similarly, ACs could underpin innovations in synthesis, through the optimized production of materials and pharmaceuticals, and in environmental remediation by selectively capturing and storing pollutants 1,4,5,8,9 .…”

Synthetic Cell as a Platform for Understanding Membrane-Membrane Interactions

“…Many of today's technologies have been inspired from our surroundings, for example, the invention of flight (birds), submarine (whales), Shinkansen bullet train (kingfisher), sonar (dolphin and bats), and many more. The scientific community has not been untouched by this inventiveness that has led to many novel research branches, for example biomimicry, synthetic cell research, and in vitro protein synthesis as the frontiers in the field of synthetic biology [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”