Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2025
11:05
Functional Surface-immobilization of Genes Using Multistep Strand Displacement Lithography
Published on: October 25, 2018
7.4K
Cell-Free Gene Expression: Methods and Applications
Andrew C Hunt1,2, Blake J Rasor1,2, Kosuke Seki1,2
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.
Chemical Reviews
|December 19, 2024
Summary
Cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems enable synthetic biology outside of cells, offering advantages in distribution and biocontainment. Recent advances are transforming cell construction, genetic network control, and biobased product manufacturing.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic Biology
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems offer an alternative to traditional cell-based biological processes.
- These systems operate outside of intact cells, utilizing purified enzymes or cell lysates for biomolecular transformations.
- CFE bypasses cellular limitations like transport across cell walls and survival mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in cell-free gene expression systems.
- To highlight the transformative impact of CFE on synthetic biology applications.
- To discuss the potential of CFE in building cells, controlling genetic networks, and manufacturing biobased products.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature and technological developments in CFE systems.
- Analysis of the advantages of CFE, including distribution via freeze-drying and inherent biocontainment.
- Exploration of applications in synthetic biology, genetic engineering, and biomanufacturing.
Main Results:
- CFE systems provide precise control over biomolecular transformations.
- Freeze-drying enables easy distribution and point-of-use rehydration of CFE systems.
- Nonliving nature of CFE offers biocontainment advantages over genetically modified organisms.
Conclusions:
- CFE systems represent a significant departure from traditional cell-based methods.
- Recent advances have expanded the capabilities and applications of CFE.
- CFE is revolutionizing the construction of biological systems and the production of biobased products.
Related Concept Videos
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
4.6K
4.6K
02:11Reporter Genes
11.2K
Reporter genes are a type of protein-coding gene that are often tagged to a gene of interest. Once inside a target cell, reporter genes usually produce visually identifiable characteristics like fluorescence and luminescence when expressed along with the gene of interest. Thus, reporter genes “report” the presence or absence of genes of interest in an organism, determine the gene expression pattern, or track the physical location of a DNA segment or protein in the cell.
11.2K
01:42What is Gene Expression?
166.9K
Overview
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
166.9K
02:24Ribosome Profiling
3.5K
Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
3.5K