Abstract
Cell-free systems are a rapidly expanding platform technology with an important role in the engineering of biological systems. The key advantages that drive their broad adoption are increased efficiency, versatility, and low cost compared to in vivo systems. Traditionally, in vivo platforms have been used to synthesize novel and industrially relevant proteins and serve as a testbed for prototyping numerous biotechnologies such as genetic circuits and biosensors. Although in vivo platforms currently have many applications within biotechnology, they are hindered by time-constraining growth cycles, homeostatic considerations, and limited adaptability in production. Conversely, cell-free platforms are not hindered by constraints for supporting life and are therefore highly adaptable to a broad range of production and testing schemes. The advantages of cell-free platforms are being leveraged more commonly by the biotechnology community, and cell-free applications are expected to grow exponentially in the next decade. In this study, new and emerging applications of cell-free platforms, with a specific focus on cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS), will be examined. The current and near-future role of CFPS within metabolic engineering, prototyping, and biomanufacturing will be investigated as well as how the integration of machine learning is beneficial to these applications.
Highlights
Introduction and Norikazu IchihashiCell-free systems can generally be defined as platforms where biochemical reactions occur independently of living cells
The current and near-future role of cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) within metabolic engineering, prototyping, and biomanufacturing will be investigated as well as how the integration of machine learning is beneficial to these applications
The PURE system, the first demonstrated synthetic cell-free system built via purified components rather than cell lysate, has been able to synthesize a number of difficult-to-express proteins because of its adaptability to different reaction setups [15]
Summary
Cell-free systems can generally be defined as platforms where biochemical reactions occur independently of living cells. Cell-free systems are safer for environmental biosensing and bioremediation efforts, while competing in vivo solutions involve the potentially dangerous and controversial aspect of releasing genetically modified organisms into sensitive environments [22,23] Biomanufacturing is another industry that stands to benefit from cell-free biotechnology, especially in the on-demand production of target proteins. The applications of CFPS and other cell-free systems are growing as the advantages of these platforms become more apparent Driving this push towards cell-free systems are innovators optimizing these platforms to fill many different roles, from industrial-size protein production factories to miniaturized drug discovery instruments. Current roadblocks to the successful implementation of cell-free systems in these applications will be addressed, providing a context for what challenges lay ahead for the generation of cell-free researchers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
