Constructing vesicle-based artificial cells with embedded living cells as organelle-like modules

Area of Science:

• Synthetic Biology
• Biotechnology
• Cellular Engineering

Background:

• Artificial cells are constructed by functionalizing lipid vesicles with biological and synthetic machinery.
• Current artificial cells have limited capabilities due to reduced complexity and lack of evolved biochemical pathways.
• Living cells possess complex biochemical pathways that could enhance artificial cell functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of encapsulating living cells within vesicles to create advanced artificial cells.
• To explore how encapsulated cells can serve as organelle-like modules within a synthetic cell assembly.
• To demonstrate the synergistic operation between a vesicle host and an encapsulated living cell.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing microfluidic technologies for the construction of hybrid cellular bionic systems.
• Encapsulating living cells within functionalized lipid vesicles.
• Co-encapsulating synthetic enzymatic metabolism within the vesicles alongside the living cells.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that encapsulated living cells can act as bioreactor modules within artificial cells.
• Showcased the vesicle host shielding the encapsulated cell from toxic external environments.
• Established that the vesicle and encapsulated cell operate in concert, processing feedstock via integrated metabolism.

Conclusions:

• Encapsulating living cells in vesicles is a viable strategy for creating artificial cells with enhanced capabilities.
• This approach allows artificial cells to leverage the inherent biochemistry of living cells as functional modules.
• Hybrid cellular bionic systems offer a promising platform for advancing the field of artificial cell development.