Research progress in stimulus-responsive behaviors of artificial cells

Abstract

Artificial cells with cell-like characteristics can be used as biomimetic systems to simulate the function and structure of real cells for further investigating the operation mechanism of cells in life. Cells can respond corresponding behaviors by sensing the signal stimulation from the external minimal interference, and then carry out various reactions related to biological activities. Thus, to study the stimulus-responsive behaviors of artificial cells not only provides an important theoretical significance to explore and understand properties of biological cells, but also demonstrates important potential applications in biosensors, disease diagnosis, drug delivery and so on. In this review, the recent research progress of stimuli-responsive behaviors of artificial cells, including the construction of stimuli-responsive artificial cells, the research on stimuli-responsive behaviors in regulating enzymatic reactions, material transport, communication and adhesion, is briefly introduced. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives for controlling artificial cells are discussed.