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Enzymes as key features in therapeutic cell mimicry
Fabian Itel1, Philipp S Schattling1, Yan Zhang1
1Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus 8000, Denmark.
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|September 17, 2017
Summary
Enzyme-based cell mimicry creates artificial cells and components that replicate lost cellular functions. These nature-inspired synthetic systems show promise for biomedical applications, offering alternatives to natural cellular roles.
Area of Science:
- Biomimetic chemistry
- Synthetic biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cell mimicry leverages nature-inspired designs to replicate or replace cellular functions.
- Enzymes are crucial components for developing artificial cellular machinery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in enzyme-based cell mimicry.
- To highlight applications in encapsulated catalysis and artificial motility.
- To discuss the biological responses of these artificial systems.
Main Methods:
- Focus on enzyme encapsulation within synthetic assemblies.
- Exploration of bottom-up assembly of nano- to micron-sized entities.
- Analysis of biological interactions in cell culture and animal models.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of nano-sized enzyme mimics, artificial organelles, and self-propelled particles.
- Development of micron-sized artificial cells with specific functions.
- Initial data on biological responses and interactions.
Conclusions:
- Enzyme-based cell mimicry is an emerging field with significant potential.
- These artificial systems offer complementary alternatives to natural cellular functions.
- Further research is needed to fully realize their biomedical applications.
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