Abstract
The bottom-up branch of synthetic biology includes—among others—innovative studies that combine cell-free protein synthesis with liposome technology to generate cell-like systems of minimal complexity, often referred to as synthetic cells. The functions of this type of synthetic cell derive from gene expression, hence they can be programmed in a modular, progressive and customizable manner by means of ad hoc designed genetic circuits. This experimental scenario is rapidly expanding and synthetic cell research already counts numerous successes. Here, we present 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. The review includes a short presentation of the “molecular communication technologies,” briefly discussing their promises and challenges.
Highlights
The bottom-up branch of synthetic biology includes—among others—innovative studies that combine cell-free protein synthesis with liposome technology to generate cell-like systems of minimal complexity, often referred to as synthetic cells
We present a review focused on the exchange of chemical signals between liposome-based synthetic cells and biological cells, as well as between two populations of synthetic cells
Owing to our direct involvement in the field (Stano et al, 2012; Rampioni et al, 2014, 2018), and considering recent exciting reports, in this review we present and discuss the intersection between the bio-chem-ICT idea of exchanging chemical signals in a programmable way, and the bottom-up synthetic biology approach focused on the construction of cell-like systems based on gene expression inside liposomes (Luisi, 2002; Noireaux and Libchaber, 2004; Luisi et al, 2006; Ichihashi et al, 2010; Stano et al, 2011; Nourian and Danelon, 2013; Spencer et al, 2013)
Summary
Owing to our direct involvement in the field (Stano et al, 2012; Rampioni et al, 2014, 2018), and considering recent exciting reports, in this review we present and discuss the intersection between the bio-chem-ICT idea of exchanging chemical signals in a programmable way, and the bottom-up synthetic biology approach focused on the construction of cell-like systems based on gene expression inside liposomes (Luisi, 2002; Noireaux and Libchaber, 2004; Luisi et al, 2006; Ichihashi et al, 2010; Stano et al, 2011; Nourian and Danelon, 2013; Spencer et al, 2013). The actuator operates on some further step (e.g., producing a signal molecule, catalyzing a useful reaction, creating a pore on the SC membrane, acting as a controller/regulator of another circuit, etc.) To provide SCs with communication capability, water-soluble proteins (sensors, regulators, signal-producing elements, or components of the gene expression machinery) should be either encapsulated, or synthesized in the SC lumen. This has become a standard practice, somehow, at least for some prokaryotic proteins (Stano et al, 2011). These SCs are liposomes containing IPTG, the PURE system as the transcription-translation (TX-TL) machinery, and a DNA template coding for a riboswitch that, after binding
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