Synthetic Cells

Llopis‐Lorente, Antoni; Yewdall, N. Amy; Mason, Alexander F.; Abdelmohsen, Loai K. E. A.; Hest, Jan C. M. van

doi:10.1002/9781119555568.ch11

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 93 publications

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“…Among the different artificial cell platforms available to construct our communication network, we opted for the use of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) because of their semipermeable membrane and facility to encapsulate macromolecules. ,, We prepared micrometer-sized (ca. 20 μm) GUVs based on the droplet transfer method from a mixture of phospholipids (DOPC, POPC) and cholesterol (35/35/30 molar ratio), to which an aqueous aliquot containing the molecular cargo (enzymes or DNA nanostructures) was added, followed by emulsification (see SI for details).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In artificial cell research, chemical communication holds potential as the basis to provide fundamental insights in the functioning of living cells, control over collective cell behavior, and future technological applications. − Efforts to establish communication between artificial cells have recently been reviewed . In the past few years, several examples of artificial cell communication have been reported, based on the incorporation of processing machinery (enzymes, transcription–translation extracts, or DNA-strand displacement reactions) in different compartments (lipid vesicles, proteinosomes, coacervates, etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatiotemporal Communication in Artificial Cell Consortia for Dynamic Control of DNA Nanostructures

Llopis-Lorente,

Shao,

Ventura

et al. 2024

ACS Cent. Sci.

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The spatiotemporal orchestration of cellular processes is a ubiquitous phenomenon in pluricellular organisms and bacterial communities, where sender cells secrete chemical signals that activate specific pathways in distant receivers. Despite its importance, the engineering and investigation of spatiotemporal communication in artificial cell consortia remains underexplored. In this study, we present spatiotemporal communication between cellular-scale entities acting as both senders and receivers. The transmitted signals are leveraged to elicit conformational alterations within compartmentalized DNA structures. Specifically, sender entities control and generate diffusive chemical signals, namely, variations in pH, through the conversion of biomolecular inputs. In the receiver population, compartmentalized DNA nanostructures exhibit changes in conformation, transitioning between triplex and duplex assemblies, in response to this pH variation. We demonstrate the temporal regulation of activated DNA nanostructures through the coordinated action of two antagonistic sender populations. Furthermore, we illustrate the transient distance-dependent activation of the receivers, facilitated by sender populations situated at defined spatial locations. Collectively, our findings provide novel avenues for the design of artificial cell consortia endowed with programmable spatiotemporal dynamics through chemical communication.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal Communication in Artificial Cell Consortia for Dynamic Control of DNA Nanostructures

Llopis-Lorente,

Shao,

Ventura

et al. 2024

ACS Cent. Sci.

Self Cite

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“…In the context of synthetic biology, engineering communication is a key aspect for the development of artificial cells (responsive compartmentalized systems containing biological or synthetic machinery) that mimic the functionality and dynamicity of living cells. In fact, the topic of chemical communication has recently attracted attention from artificial cell researchers and has been discussed in several mini-review/opinion-type articles. − Furthermore, micro/nanoparticles able to communicate with living cells could be employed to tune cellular behavior, sense changes in cellular states, and design a new generation of therapeutic delivery systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Models of Chemical Communication for Micro/Nanoparticles

Ventura,

Llopis-Lorente,

Abdelmohsen

et al. 2024

Acc. Chem. Res.

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Metrics & MoreArticle Recommendations CONSPECTUS: Engineering chemical communication between micro/ nanosystems (via the exchange of chemical messengers) is receiving increasing attention from the scientific community. Although a number of micro-and nanodevices (e.g., drug carriers, sensors, and artificial cells) have been developed in the last decades, engineering communication at the micro/nanoscale is a recent emergent topic. In fact, most of the studies in this research area have been published within the last 10 years. Inspired by nature�where information is exchanged by means of molecules�the development of chemical communication strategies holds wide implications as it may provide breakthroughs in many areas including nanotechnology, artificial cell research, biomedicine, biotechnology, and ICT. Published examples rely on nanotechnology and synthetic biology for the creation of micro-and nanodevices that can communicate. Communication enables the construction of new complex systems capable of performing advanced coordinated tasks that go beyond those carried out by individual entities. In addition, the possibility to communicate between synthetic and living systems can further advance our understanding of biochemical processes and provide completely new tailored therapeutic and diagnostic strategies, ways to tune cellular behavior, and new biotechnological tools. In this Account, we summarize advances by our laboratories (and others) in the engineering of chemical communication of micro-and nanoparticles. This Account is structured to provide researchers from different fields with general strategies and common ground for the rational design of future communication networks at the micro/nanoscale. First, we cover the basis of and describe enabling technologies to engineer particles with communication capabilities. Next, we rationalize general models of chemical communication. These models vary from simple linear communication (transmission of information between two points) to more complex pathways such as interactive communication and multicomponent communication (involving several entities). Using illustrative experimental designs, we demonstrate the realization of these models which involve communication not only between engineered micro/ nanoparticles but also between particles and living systems. Finally, we discuss the current state of the topic and the future challenges to be addressed.

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Synthetic Cells

Cited by 2 publications

References 93 publications

Spatiotemporal Communication in Artificial Cell Consortia for Dynamic Control of DNA Nanostructures

Spatiotemporal Communication in Artificial Cell Consortia for Dynamic Control of DNA Nanostructures

Models of Chemical Communication for Micro/Nanoparticles

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