Synthetic cell demonstrations - Revision history

Murray: /* Self-Organized Spatial Targeting of Contractile Actomyosin Rings for Synthetic Cell Division (2024) */

2026-06-27T16:49:59Z

Self-Organized Spatial Targeting of Contractile Actomyosin Rings for Synthetic Cell Division (2024)

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	Allen, M. E., Hindley, J. W., O'Toole, N., Cooke, H. S., Contini, C., Law, R. V., ... & Elani, Y. (2023). [https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307772120 Biomimetic behaviours in hydrogel artificial cells through embedded organelles]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(35), e2307772120.		Allen, M. E., Hindley, J. W., O'Toole, N., Cooke, H. S., Contini, C., Law, R. V., ... & Elani, Y. (2023). [https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307772120 Biomimetic behaviours in hydrogel artificial cells through embedded organelles]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(35), e2307772120.
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			=== Engineering Transmembrane Signal Transduction in Synthetic Membranes Using Two-Component Systems (2023) ===

			[[Image:kamat-2023.png\|400px\|thumb\|alt={Peruzzi et al., 2023, Figure 1}\|Reconstitution of two-component signaling across a synthetic membrane. (a) The NarX/NarL system couples nitrate sensing to reporter expression. (b) Systematic omission experiments confirm all sensor components are required. (c) Synthetic lipid membranes enhance nitrate-dependent reporter expression. (d,e) Sensor output can be tuned by adjusting the NarX:NarL DNA ratio. Peruzzi et al., 2023, Figure 1.]]

			Kamat's group at Northwestern University demonstrated the reconstitution of a bacterial two-component signaling system within synthetic lipid membranes, providing a bottom-up implementation of transmembrane signal transduction in a synthetic cell context. The authors reconstituted the NarX/NarL system, consisting of a transmembrane sensor kinase (NarX) embedded in a synthetic lipid bilayer and its cognate response regulator (NarL) encapsulated on the interior side. Binding of nitrate to the extracellular domain of NarX triggered autophosphorylation of NarL, driving expression of a nanoluciferase reporter. Signal gain and dynamic range could be tuned by adjusting the NarX:NarL DNA ratio, and selective insulation of signaling pathways was demonstrated using orthogonal kinase–regulator pairs.

			Peruzzi, J. A., et al. (2023). [https://doi.org/10.1021/acssynbio.3c00105 Engineering transmembrane signal transduction in synthetic membranes using two-component systems]. ACS Synthetic Biology.
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Murray: /* Magnetic Activation of Spherical Nucleic Acids for Remote Control of Synthetic Cells (2025) */

2025-09-29T15:26:39Z

Magnetic Activation of Spherical Nucleic Acids for Remote Control of Synthetic Cells (2025)

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	=== Magnetic Activation of Spherical Nucleic Acids for Remote Control of Synthetic Cells (2025) ===		=== Magnetic Activation of Spherical Nucleic Acids for Remote Control of Synthetic Cells (2025) ===

	[[Image:parkes-2016.png\|~~300px~~\|thumb\|alt={Parkes et al., 2025, Figure 5}\|		[[Image:parkes-2016.png\|240px\|thumb\|alt={Parkes et al., 2025, Figure 5}\|
	Controlling α-HL expression and cargo release from synthetic cells with an alternating magnetic field.]]		Controlling α-HL expression and cargo release from synthetic cells with an alternating magnetic field.]]
	Booth's group at the University of Oxford and University College London developed synthetic cells controlled by clinically tolerable magnetic fields using spherical nucleic acids with magnetic nanoparticle cores. The system used DNA promoter sequences attached to silica-encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles that could be activated by alternating magnetic fields at 100 kHz—the only clinically approved frequency for magnetic hyperthermia. When exposed to the magnetic field, localized heating from the nanoparticles released T7 promoter sequences that activated cell-free protein synthesis within giant unilamellar vesicles. The most sophisticated demonstrations showed magnetically controlled expression of mNeonGreen fluorescent protein and α-hemolysin pore-forming protein, which enabled on-demand cargo release from synthetic cells. The system maintained tight control with minimal background activity in the absence of magnetic fields through a novel purification method that removed electrostatically bound DNA. Critically, the technology operated through opaque blocking materials that are impenetrable to current activation methods like light or small molecules, demonstrating the potential of deeply tissue-penetrating magnetic fields for controlling synthetic cells as drug delivery devices.		Booth's group at the University of Oxford and University College London developed synthetic cells controlled by clinically tolerable magnetic fields using spherical nucleic acids with magnetic nanoparticle cores. The system used DNA promoter sequences attached to silica-encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles that could be activated by alternating magnetic fields at 100 kHz—the only clinically approved frequency for magnetic hyperthermia. When exposed to the magnetic field, localized heating from the nanoparticles released T7 promoter sequences that activated cell-free protein synthesis within giant unilamellar vesicles. The most sophisticated demonstrations showed magnetically controlled expression of mNeonGreen fluorescent protein and α-hemolysin pore-forming protein, which enabled on-demand cargo release from synthetic cells. The system maintained tight control with minimal background activity in the absence of magnetic fields through a novel purification method that removed electrostatically bound DNA. Critically, the technology operated through opaque blocking materials that are impenetrable to current activation methods like light or small molecules, demonstrating the potential of deeply tissue-penetrating magnetic fields for controlling synthetic cells as drug delivery devices.

Murray: /* Magnetic Activation of Spherical Nucleic Acids for Remote Control of Synthetic Cells (2025) */

2025-09-29T15:25:03Z

Magnetic Activation of Spherical Nucleic Acids for Remote Control of Synthetic Cells (2025)

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:25, 29 September 2025
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	[[Image:parkes-2016.png\|300px\|thumb\|alt={Parkes et al., 2025, Figure 5}\|		[[Image:parkes-2016.png\|300px\|thumb\|alt={Parkes et al., 2025, Figure 5}\|
			Controlling α-HL expression and cargo release from synthetic cells with an alternating magnetic field.]]
	Booth's group at the University of Oxford and University College London developed synthetic cells controlled by clinically tolerable magnetic fields using spherical nucleic acids with magnetic nanoparticle cores. The system used DNA promoter sequences attached to silica-encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles that could be activated by alternating magnetic fields at 100 kHz—the only clinically approved frequency for magnetic hyperthermia. When exposed to the magnetic field, localized heating from the nanoparticles released T7 promoter sequences that activated cell-free protein synthesis within giant unilamellar vesicles. The most sophisticated demonstrations showed magnetically controlled expression of mNeonGreen fluorescent protein and α-hemolysin pore-forming protein, which enabled on-demand cargo release from synthetic cells. The system maintained tight control with minimal background activity in the absence of magnetic fields through a novel purification method that removed electrostatically bound DNA. Critically, the technology operated through opaque blocking materials that are impenetrable to current activation methods like light or small molecules, demonstrating the potential of deeply tissue-penetrating magnetic fields for controlling synthetic cells as drug delivery devices.		Booth's group at the University of Oxford and University College London developed synthetic cells controlled by clinically tolerable magnetic fields using spherical nucleic acids with magnetic nanoparticle cores. The system used DNA promoter sequences attached to silica-encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles that could be activated by alternating magnetic fields at 100 kHz—the only clinically approved frequency for magnetic hyperthermia. When exposed to the magnetic field, localized heating from the nanoparticles released T7 promoter sequences that activated cell-free protein synthesis within giant unilamellar vesicles. The most sophisticated demonstrations showed magnetically controlled expression of mNeonGreen fluorescent protein and α-hemolysin pore-forming protein, which enabled on-demand cargo release from synthetic cells. The system maintained tight control with minimal background activity in the absence of magnetic fields through a novel purification method that removed electrostatically bound DNA. Critically, the technology operated through opaque blocking materials that are impenetrable to current activation methods like light or small molecules, demonstrating the potential of deeply tissue-penetrating magnetic fields for controlling synthetic cells as drug delivery devices.

Murray at 15:23, 29 September 2025

2025-09-29T15:23:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:23, 29 September 2025
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	Reverte-López, M., Kanwa, N., Qutbuddin, Y., et al. (2024). [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54807-9 Self-organized spatial targeting of contractile actomyosin rings for synthetic cell division]. Nature Communications, 15, 10415.		Reverte-López, M., Kanwa, N., Qutbuddin, Y., et al. (2024). [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54807-9 Self-organized spatial targeting of contractile actomyosin rings for synthetic cell division]. Nature Communications, 15, 10415.
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			=== Magnetic Activation of Spherical Nucleic Acids for Remote Control of Synthetic Cells (2025) ===

			[[Image:parkes-2016.png\|300px\|thumb\|alt={Parkes et al., 2025, Figure 5}\|
			Booth's group at the University of Oxford and University College London developed synthetic cells controlled by clinically tolerable magnetic fields using spherical nucleic acids with magnetic nanoparticle cores. The system used DNA promoter sequences attached to silica-encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles that could be activated by alternating magnetic fields at 100 kHz—the only clinically approved frequency for magnetic hyperthermia. When exposed to the magnetic field, localized heating from the nanoparticles released T7 promoter sequences that activated cell-free protein synthesis within giant unilamellar vesicles. The most sophisticated demonstrations showed magnetically controlled expression of mNeonGreen fluorescent protein and α-hemolysin pore-forming protein, which enabled on-demand cargo release from synthetic cells. The system maintained tight control with minimal background activity in the absence of magnetic fields through a novel purification method that removed electrostatically bound DNA. Critically, the technology operated through opaque blocking materials that are impenetrable to current activation methods like light or small molecules, demonstrating the potential of deeply tissue-penetrating magnetic fields for controlling synthetic cells as drug delivery devices.

			Parkes, E., Al Samad, A., Mazzotti, G., Newell, C., Ng, B., Radford, A., & Booth, M. J. (2025). [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-025-01909-6 Magnetic activation of spherical nucleic acids enables the remote control of synthetic cells]. Nature Chemistry (published online).
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Murray: /* Communication and Quorum Sensing in Artificial Cells (2018) */

2025-08-30T12:20:18Z

Communication and Quorum Sensing in Artificial Cells (2018)

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:20, 30 August 2025
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	=== Communication and Quorum Sensing in Artificial Cells (2018) ===		=== Communication and Quorum Sensing in Artificial Cells (2018) ===
	[[Image:Niederholtmeyer-2018.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Communication between cell-mimics via a diffusive genetic activator. Niederholtmeyer et al., 2018, Figure 3.]]		[[Image:Niederholtmeyer-2018.png\|thumb\|300px\|Communication between cell-mimics via a diffusive genetic activator. Niederholtmeyer et al., 2018, Figure 3.]]

	Devaraj’s group at UC San Diego developed artificial cells capable of chemical communication using quorum-sensing genetic circuits encapsulated inside a porous polymer membrane containing an artificial hydrogel compartment. "Activator" synthetic cells produced T3 RNAP, which diffused through the polymer membrane into "detector" synthetic cells that expressed GFP. The system demonstrated that non-living vesicle-based mimics could exchange information through diffusible signaling molecules, allowing one population of artificial cells to regulate gene expression in another. This work provided a demonstrations of intercellular communication between synthetic cells and highlighted the potential of quorum sensing as a design principle for coordinating behavior in cell-free systems.		Devaraj’s group at UC San Diego developed artificial cells capable of chemical communication using quorum-sensing genetic circuits encapsulated inside a porous polymer membrane containing an artificial hydrogel compartment. "Activator" synthetic cells produced T3 RNAP, which diffused through the polymer membrane into "detector" synthetic cells that expressed GFP. The system demonstrated that non-living vesicle-based mimics could exchange information through diffusible signaling molecules, allowing one population of artificial cells to regulate gene expression in another. This work provided a demonstrations of intercellular communication between synthetic cells and highlighted the potential of quorum sensing as a design principle for coordinating behavior in cell-free systems.

Murray: /* DNA-Based Communication in Populations of Synthetic Protocells (2019) */

2025-08-30T12:18:34Z

DNA-Based Communication in Populations of Synthetic Protocells (2019)

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:18, 30 August 2025
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	Booth, M. J., Schild, V. R., Graham, A. D., Olof, S. N., & Bayley, H. (2016). [https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1600056 Light-activated communication in synthetic tissues]. Science Advances, 2(4), e1600056.		Booth, M. J., Schild, V. R., Graham, A. D., Olof, S. N., & Bayley, H. (2016). [https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1600056 Light-activated communication in synthetic tissues]. Science Advances, 2(4), e1600056.
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			=== Communication and Quorum Sensing in Artificial Cells (2018) ===
			[[Image:Niederholtmeyer-2018.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Communication between cell-mimics via a diffusive genetic activator. Niederholtmeyer et al., 2018, Figure 3.]]

			Devaraj’s group at UC San Diego developed artificial cells capable of chemical communication using quorum-sensing genetic circuits encapsulated inside a porous polymer membrane containing an artificial hydrogel compartment. "Activator" synthetic cells produced T3 RNAP, which diffused through the polymer membrane into "detector" synthetic cells that expressed GFP. The system demonstrated that non-living vesicle-based mimics could exchange information through diffusible signaling molecules, allowing one population of artificial cells to regulate gene expression in another. This work provided a demonstrations of intercellular communication between synthetic cells and highlighted the potential of quorum sensing as a design principle for coordinating behavior in cell-free systems.

			Niederholtmeyer, H., Chaggan, C., & Devaraj, N. K. (2018). [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-07473-7 Communication and quorum sensing in non-living mimics of eukaryotic cells]. Nature Communications, 9, 5027.
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Murray: /* Other Compartmentalization Techniques */

2025-08-30T12:01:56Z

Other Compartmentalization Techniques

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	== Other ~~Compartmentalization Techniques~~ ==		== Other compartmentalization techniques ==

	This section describes selected examples of systems where the compartment is something other than a lipid bilayer-based vesicle.		This section describes selected examples of systems where the compartment is something other than a lipid bilayer-based vesicle.

Murray: /* Vesicle-based Demonstrations */

2025-08-30T12:01:33Z

Vesicle-based Demonstrations

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:01, 30 August 2025
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	This page provides an overview of synthetic cell demonstrations reported in the scientific literature. The information was generated using a prompt requesting examples of synthetic cell demonstrations from specific research groups, processed by Claude Sonnet 4 on August 29, 2025. The examples focus on bottom-up approaches to creating artificial cellular systems with behaviors that can be incorporated into more complex synthetic cell-based systems.		This page provides an overview of synthetic cell demonstrations reported in the scientific literature. The information was generated using a prompt requesting examples of synthetic cell demonstrations from specific research groups, processed by Claude Sonnet 4 on August 29, 2025. The examples focus on bottom-up approaches to creating artificial cellular systems with behaviors that can be incorporated into more complex synthetic cell-based systems.

	== Vesicle-based ~~Demonstrations~~ ==		== Vesicle-based demonstrations ==

	This section describes selected examples of synthetic cell-based systems where the compartment is a lipid bilayer vesicle.		This section describes selected examples of synthetic cell-based systems where the compartment is a lipid bilayer vesicle.

Murray: Murray moved page Demonstrations to Synthetic cell demonstrations: More descriptive title

2025-08-30T12:01:13Z

Murray moved page Demonstrations to Synthetic cell demonstrations: More descriptive title

← Older revision

Revision as of 05:01, 30 August 2025

Murray at 03:25, 30 August 2025

2025-08-30T03:25:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:25, 29 August 2025
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	This page provides an overview of synthetic cell demonstrations reported in the scientific literature. The information was generated using a prompt requesting examples of synthetic cell demonstrations from specific research groups, processed by Claude Sonnet 4 on August 29, 2025. The examples focus on bottom-up approaches to creating artificial cellular systems with ~~life~~-~~like behaviors~~.		This page provides an overview of synthetic cell demonstrations reported in the scientific literature. The information was generated using a prompt requesting examples of synthetic cell demonstrations from specific research groups, processed by Claude Sonnet 4 on August 29, 2025. The examples focus on bottom-up approaches to creating artificial cellular systems with behaviors that can be incorporated into more complex synthetic cell-based systems.

	== Vesicle-based Demonstrations ==		== Vesicle-based Demonstrations ==