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Preparing Protein Producing Synthetic Cells using Cell Free Bacterial Extracts, Liposomes and Emulsion Transfer

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Synthesising a minimal cell with artificial metabolic pathways.

Minoru Kurisu¹, Ryosuke Katayama¹, Yuka Sakuma¹

¹Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan.

Communications Chemistry

|March 28, 2023

Summary

Researchers created a synthetic minimal cell that self-reproduces. This artificial cell uses energy and information polymers to grow and divide, simplifying life's essence.

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Area of Science:

* Origin of Life Studies
* Synthetic Biology
* Chemical Biology

Background:

* Understanding the fundamental principles of life requires studying minimal systems that capture its essential functions.
* Artificial cell research aims to replicate cellular processes using non-living components.

Purpose of the Study:

* To synthesize a functional synthetic minimal cell capable of self-reproduction.
* To investigate the interplay between energy production, information polymer synthesis, and vesicle reproduction.

Main Methods:

* Construction of a three-unit system: energy production, information polymer synthesis, and vesicle reproduction.
* Utilizing supplied ingredients for energy conversion and information polymer synthesis, with the vesicle membrane acting as a template.
* Employing kinetic equations and a membrane elasticity model to describe chemical and reproduction pathways.

Main Results:

* Successful synthesis of a synthetic minimal cell that demonstrates recursive reproduction over several generations.
* Demonstrated that information polymers promote vesicle membrane growth.
* Tuning membrane composition and permeability to osmolytes is crucial for vesicle reproduction.

Conclusions:

* The synthetic minimal cell simplifies contemporary life's complexity while retaining essential characteristics.
* This research provides insights into the distinctions and commonalities between living and non-living matter.
* The study advances the field of artificial cell development and origin of life research.