Journal Article10.1126/SCIENCE.1255550
Programmable on-chip DNA compartments as artificial cells
TL;DR: A highly miniaturized cell-free system on a silicon chip that recreated oscillating protein expression patterns and protein gradients, and provides a stepping stone to creating “artificial cells” on a chip.
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Abstract: The assembly of artificial cells capable of executing synthetic DNA programs has been an important goal for basic research and biotechnology. We assembled two-dimensional DNA compartments fabricated in silicon as artificial cells capable of metabolism, programmable protein synthesis, and communication. Metabolism is maintained by continuous diffusion of nutrients and products through a thin capillary, connecting protein synthesis in the DNA compartment with the environment. We programmed protein expression cycles, autoregulated protein levels, and a signaling expression gradient, equivalent to a morphogen, in an array of interconnected compartments at the scale of an embryo. Gene expression in the DNA compartment reveals a rich, dynamic system that is controlled by geometry, offering a means for studying biological networks outside a living cell.
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Citations
Cell-free gene expression: an expanded repertoire of applications.
TL;DR: Advances provide exciting opportunities to profoundly transform synthetic biology by enabling new approaches to the model-driven design of synthetic gene networks, the fast and portable sensing of compounds, on-demand biomanufacturing, building cells from the bottom up, and next-generation educational kits.
503
Gene-Expressing Liposomes as Synthetic Cells for Molecular Communication Studies.
TL;DR: A review focused on the exchange of chemical signals between liposome-based synthetic cells (operating by gene expression) and biological cells, as well as between two populations of synthetic cells.
Paper-based synthetic gene networks
Keith Pardee,James J. Collins +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, shelf-stable compositions based on synthetic gene networks and/or cell-free systems that are lyophilized on a solid support are presented, which can be easily transported and stored for a period of time, and activation can be done by simply adding water.
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The All E. coli TX-TL Toolbox 2.0: A Platform for Cell-Free Synthetic Biology.
TL;DR: The performance and properties of a recently developed, all Escherichia coli, cell-free transcription and translation system, which is entirely based on the endogenous translation components and transcription machinery provided by an E. coli cytoplasmic extract, are reported on.
427
Materials learning from life: concepts for active, adaptive and autonomous molecular systems
Rémi Merindol,Andreas Walther +1 more
TL;DR: Focusing on principles that enable new levels of functionalities rather than on specific material classes, this work outlines key cross-disciplinary concepts that emerge in this challenging field of artificial out-of-equilibrium systems.
412
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Jesse Stricker,Scott Cookson,Matthew R. Bennett,William H. Mather,Lev S. Tsimring,Jeff Hasty +5 more
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