Light-Controlled Synthetic Communication Networks via Paired Connexon Nanopores.

Area of Science:

• Synthetic biology
• Biophysics
• Cellular communication

Background:

• Living cells utilize dynamic networks for intercellular communication and tissue-wide activity.
• Replicating sophisticated cellular communication in synthetic cells (SCs) is a key challenge in bottom-up synthetic biology.
• Transferring signaling molecules between liposome-based SCs requires traversing two membranes, hindering network formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer direct communication pathways between synthetic cells.
• To create orthogonal and responsive signaling channels within synthetic cell assemblies.
• To demonstrate wavelength-dependent information transfer for advanced synthetic communication networks.

Main Methods:

• Engineering connexin channels (connexin 43 and connexin 32) for UV- and near-IR responsiveness.
• Integrating engineered connexins into adhering liposome-based synthetic cells.
• Demonstrating orthogonal transfer of reactive signaling molecules between SCs.

Main Results:

• Successfully engineered connexin channels to bridge the membranes of adhering synthetic cells.
• Achieved orthogonal signaling molecule transfer between SCs using UV and near-IR light.
• Observed unique reaction products and network states dependent on light wavelength.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrated a novel method for direct intercellular communication in synthetic cells.
• Established wavelength-tunable synthetic communication networks.
• This work is a significant step towards building complex, functional synthetic biological systems.