Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Cytoplasm

Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm consists of organelles and a framework of protein scaffolds called the cytoskeleton suspended in an aqueous solution, the cytosol. The cytosol is a rich broth of water, ions, salts, and various organic molecules.
Protein Folding and Misfolding
The cytoplasm is the location for several cellular processes, including protein synthesis and folding. The aqueous nature of the cytosol promotes protein folding such that the hydrophobic amino acid side chains are buried in the protein...

Cytoplasm

Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm consists of organelles and a framework of protein scaffolds called the cytoskeleton suspended in an aqueous solution, the cytosol. The cytosol is a rich broth of water, ions, salts, and various organic molecules.
Protein Folding and Misfolding
The cytoplasm is the location for several cellular processes, including protein synthesis and folding. The aqueous nature of the cytosol promotes protein folding such that the hydrophobic amino acid side chains are buried in the protein...

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...

Introduction to the Cytoskeleton

Introduction to the Cytoskeleton

Overview of the Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments present within the cell, having three distinct filaments ̶ microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Each has characteristic features that distinguish them, including the dynamics of their assembly and disassembly, mechanical properties, polarity, and the type of molecular motors associated with them. Earlier, they were thought to be present only in eukaryotic cells; however, their homologs were...

Structural Protein Function

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity. In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...

Studying the Cytoskeleton

Studying the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Cellulose Biofilms, New Biotemplates in the Synthesis of Cuprate Superconductors.

ACS omega·2026

Same author

Colloidosome Based on Nanohydroxyapatite.

ACS omega·2025

Same author

Morphological control of cuprate superconductors using sea sponges as templates.

RSC advances·2025

Same author

Dynamic Co-Clustering and Self-Sorting in Interactive Protocell Populations.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2024

Same author

Protocell Flow Reactors for Enzyme and Whole-Cell Mediated Biocatalysis.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2024

Same author

Detonation of fulminating gold produces heterogeneous gold nanoparticles.

Nanoscale advances·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Synthetic Condensates and Cell-Like Architectures from Amphiphilic DNA Nanostructures

Synthetic Condensates and Cell-Like Architectures from Amphiphilic DNA Nanostructures

Published on: May 31, 2024

Artificial cytoskeletal structures within enzymatically active bio-inorganic protocells.

Ravinash Krishna Kumar¹, Mei Li, Sam N Olof

¹Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|October 3, 2012

Summary

Researchers created artificial cells with internal structures that mimic cell components. These bio-inorganic protocells can perform chemical reactions and self-assemble, offering new possibilities for synthetic biology.

More Related Videos

Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops

Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops

Published on: July 11, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Synthetic Condensates and Cell-Like Architectures from Amphiphilic DNA Nanostructures

Synthetic Condensates and Cell-Like Architectures from Amphiphilic DNA Nanostructures

Published on: May 31, 2024

Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops

Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops

Published on: July 11, 2025

Area of Science:

Biomimetic chemistry
Synthetic biology
Nanotechnology

Background:

Protocells are key to understanding the origin of life.
Designing artificial cells with biological functions remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To fabricate bio-inorganic protocells with enzymatic activity.
To achieve self-assembly of a cytoskeleton-like interior.
To enable small-molecule dephosphorylation reactions within protocells.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of semi-permeable bio-inorganic protocells.
Utilizing nanoparticle-bounded inorganic compartments.
Employing reversible disassembly of an amino acid-derived supramolecular hydrogel.

Main Results:

Successfully created enzymatically active protocells.
Demonstrated self-assembly of a cytoskeletal-like interior.
Tuned enzymatic activity by controlling hydrogel disassembly within protocells.

Conclusions:

The developed protocells offer a novel platform for synthetic life research.
The reversible hydrogel disassembly provides a method to regulate internal cellular processes.
These findings advance the design of functional artificial cells.