Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Synthetic Biology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Building functional synthetic protocells and prototissues requires biomimetic skeletal frameworks.
• Recreating the diverse dimensions and functions of natural cytoskeletal and exoskeletal fibers is a significant challenge.
• Developing methods using simple building blocks for fabrication and control is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple yet versatile strategy for creating complex structural frameworks for synthetic cells and tissues.
• To demonstrate the ability to control the dimensions and assembly of these frameworks.
• To investigate the application of these frameworks in enhancing protocell stability and forming prototissues.

Main Methods:

• Assembly of five oligonucleotides into nanotubes or fibers.
• Tuning the thickness and length of the DNA assemblies across four orders of magnitude.
• Controlling the intracellular and extracellular localization of the assemblies within protocells.

Main Results:

• Successfully formed tunable nanotubes and fibers from simple oligonucleotide subunits.
• Demonstrated control over the dimensions (thickness and length) of the assemblies.
• Showcased enhanced mechanical, functional, and osmolar stability of protocells with internal frameworks.
• Developed exoskeletal-like structures that support millimeter-scale prototissue formation.

Conclusions:

• Harnessing simplicity through oligonucleotide assembly enables the creation of complex structural frameworks for synthetic biology.
• This strategy provides a powerful tool for the bottom-up design of synthetic cells and tissues with enhanced properties.
• The developed materials hold potential for applications in medicine, such as smart material devices.