Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Author Spotlight: Developing Synthetic Cells from Programmable Amphiphilic DNA Nanostructures
Published on: May 31, 2024
Superstructural ordering in self-sorting coacervate-based protocell networks
Wenjing Mu1,2, Liyan Jia1,2, Musen Zhou3
1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Bottom-up assembly of higher-order cytomimetic systems capable of coordinated physical behaviours, collective chemical signalling and spatially integrated processing is a key challenge in the study of artificial multicellularity. Here we develop an interactive binary population of coacervate microdroplets that spontaneously self-sort into chain-like protocell networks with an alternating sequence of structurally and compositionally dissimilar microdomains with hemispherical contact points. The protocell superstructures exhibit macromolecular self-sorting, spatially localized enzyme/ribozyme biocatalysis and interdroplet molecular translocation. They are capable of topographical reconfiguration using chemical or light-mediated stimuli and can be used as a micro-extraction system for macroscale biomolecular sorting. Our methodology opens a pathway towards the self-assembly of multicomponent protocell networks based on selective processes of coacervate droplet-droplet adhesion and fusion, and provides a step towards the spontaneous orchestration of protocell models into artificial tissues and colonies with ordered architectures and collective functions.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Protein Sorting and Transport
Protein sorting can be of two types: signal-based sorting and vesicle-based trafficking. In signal-based sorting, specific amino acid sequences called sorting signals target proteins to the proper location inside the cell either via gated transport or by protein translocation. In gated transport, folded...
COP Coated Vesicles
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with...
Structure of Porins
Transport Across the Golgi
Nuclear Protein Sorting
Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry nuclear localization signals or NLS recognized by import receptors in the cytosol. Similarly, proteins with nuclear export signals are recognized by export receptors. Import and export receptors are...

