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Towards a synthetic cell cycle
Lorenzo Olivi1, Mareike Berger2, Ramon N P Creyghton2
1Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Nature Communications
|July 27, 2021
Summary
Researchers are exploring synthetic biology to build artificial cells. This perspective discusses approaches to integrate essential cell cycle processes like DNA replication and division for a functional synthetic cell.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic biology
- Cellular engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Advancements in synthetic biology are enabling the bottom-up construction of artificial cells.
- A functional cell cycle, involving DNA replication, segregation, growth, and division, is crucial for synthetic cell viability.
- Current research focuses on recreating individual components of the cell cycle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss various approaches for recreating a functional cell cycle in synthetic cells.
- To highlight the challenges and potential solutions for integrating cellular processes in an artificial cell.
- To outline future directions for achieving an integrated synthetic cell cycle.
Main Methods:
- Review of natural biological systems for cell cycle mechanisms.
- Exploration of synthetic alternatives for cellular machinery.
- Analysis of integration strategies for DNA replication, segregation, growth, and division.
Main Results:
- Individual components of the synthetic cell cycle have been developed.
- The integration and coordinated control of these components remain a significant challenge.
- Multiple strategies exist for recreating essential cell cycle functions.
Conclusions:
- Achieving a fully integrated synthetic cell cycle requires further research into control and coordination mechanisms.
- The bottom-up assembly of synthetic cells with life-like properties is a key goal in synthetic biology.
- Future work should focus on the holistic design of synthetic cell systems.
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