Network topology-directed design of molecular CPU for cell-like dynamic information processing

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Synthetic Biology
• Molecular Engineering

Background:

• Natural cells (NCs) possess sophisticated genetic and protein networks enabling them to process environmental information and distinguish signals from noise.
• The development of artificial systems capable of mimicking cellular information processing remains a significant challenge in synthetic biology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and construct a dynamic molecular processing system (DMPS) serving as a molecular central processing unit for artificial cells (ACs).
• To enable ACs to process fluctuating environmental information, analogous to the capabilities of natural cells.
• To investigate the integration and synchronous function of ACs with natural cells in a biological context.

Main Methods:

• Network topology-directed design principles were employed to engineer the DMPS.
• The DMPS was integrated into an artificial cell (AC) construct.
• A mixed community of ACs and NCs was created to observe their interactions.
• Experiments were conducted under physiological conditions and within a blood vessel-mimicking circulation system.

Main Results:

• The DMPS-powered AC demonstrated the ability to process fluctuant environmental information.
• Artificial cells and natural cells exhibited synchronous responses to external stimuli when co-cultured.
• Artificial cells successfully received and processed bioinformation released by natural cells.
• The system operated effectively within a simulated physiological environment, including a circulation system.

Conclusions:

• The network topology-directed design of DMPS provides a novel approach for creating artificial cells with advanced information processing capabilities.
• Artificial cells powered by DMPS can effectively interact with and process information from natural cellular environments.
• This work advances the construction of intelligent molecular systems and opens avenues for sophisticated bioengineering applications.