The University of Bristol, UK has made a significant step in synthetic biology. They have created a system that can perform several essential functions of a living cells including the ability to generate energy and express genes.
The artificially-constructed cell transformed from a sphere-like shape to a more natural amoeba shape in the first 48 hours of its ‘life. This indicates that the proto-cytoskeletal filaments had begun to work (or as the case may be, the researchers put it, were “structurally active over extended timescales”
It is not easy to build something close to what we would consider alive. This is due in part to the complex biochemical processes that are required to grow and reproduce organisms.
Scientists previously tried to get artificial cells to perform one function such as gene expression, enzyme catalysis or ribozyme activation.
It could open up new avenues for everything, from medicine to manufacturing, if scientists can unlock the secrets to programming and custom building artificial cells that mimic life better than we know.
While engineering efforts can be focused on certain areas, others are more focused on. Modifying the blueprintsOthers are also looking for ways to reduce the number of cells into scraps that can be used to make something new.
To perform this latest bottom-up bioengineering feat, researchers used two bacterial colonies – Escherichia coli Pseudomonas aeruginosa – for parts.
The two bacteria were combined with empty microdroplets in a viscous solution. One population was caught inside the droplets, while the other was trapped on the surface of the droplets.
The scientists then dissolved the bacteria membranes in lysozyme, an enzyme, and melittin, a polypeptide that comes from honeybee poison.
The bacteria released their contents which were then captured by the droplets and used to make membrane-coated protocells.
Scientists then showed that the cells can perform complex processing, including the production of ATP via glycolysis and the transcription and/or translation of genes.
“Our living material assembly approach allows us to build symbiotic living/synthetic-cell constructs from the bottom up, “Can Xu, a chemist, was the first author.
“For example, engineered bacteria should allow for complex modules to be made in the diagnostic and therapeutic areas of synthetic Biology as well as biomanufacturing.
Future applications of this type of synthetic cell tech could include improving ethanol production in biofuels and food processing.
Combining this knowledge with advanced models of basic biology we can mix-and-match structures and redesign others to create whole new systems.
Artificial cells can be programmed to produce energy from chemicals or photosynthesize as purple bacteria.
The researchers stated that they expect the methodology to be responsive to high levels programmability. Say it.
This paper was published in Nature.
