Is Research on “Synthetic Cells” Moving to the Next Level?
“Synthetic cells” research focuses on the construction of cell-like models by using solute-filled artificial microcompartments with a biomimetic structure. In recent years this bottom-up synthetic biology area has considerably progressed, and the field is currently experiencing a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-12-01
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| Series: | Life |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/9/1/3 |
| _version_ | 1817992746355392512 |
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| author | Pasquale Stano |
| author_facet | Pasquale Stano |
| author_sort | Pasquale Stano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | “Synthetic cells” research focuses on the construction of cell-like models by using solute-filled artificial microcompartments with a biomimetic structure. In recent years this bottom-up synthetic biology area has considerably progressed, and the field is currently experiencing a rapid expansion. Here we summarize some technical and theoretical aspects of synthetic cells based on gene expression and other enzymatic reactions inside liposomes, and comment on the most recent trends. Such a tour will be an occasion for asking whether times are ripe for a sort of qualitative jump toward novel SC prototypes: is research on “synthetic cells” moving to a next level? |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T01:30:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c1ee5c7755a0401983a4197dc86c94c4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T01:30:21Z |
| publishDate | 2018-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-c1ee5c7755a0401983a4197dc86c94c42022-12-22T02:20:13ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292018-12-0191310.3390/life9010003life9010003Is Research on “Synthetic Cells” Moving to the Next Level?Pasquale Stano0Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento; Ecotekne—S.P. Lecce-Monteroni, I-73100 Lecce, Italy“Synthetic cells” research focuses on the construction of cell-like models by using solute-filled artificial microcompartments with a biomimetic structure. In recent years this bottom-up synthetic biology area has considerably progressed, and the field is currently experiencing a rapid expansion. Here we summarize some technical and theoretical aspects of synthetic cells based on gene expression and other enzymatic reactions inside liposomes, and comment on the most recent trends. Such a tour will be an occasion for asking whether times are ripe for a sort of qualitative jump toward novel SC prototypes: is research on “synthetic cells” moving to a next level?http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/9/1/3artificial cellsautopoiesiscell-free protein synthesiscomplexityliposomesmicrofluidicsnumerical modelingorigins of lifeprotocellssynthetic biologysynthetic cells |
| spellingShingle | Pasquale Stano Is Research on “Synthetic Cells” Moving to the Next Level? Life artificial cells autopoiesis cell-free protein synthesis complexity liposomes microfluidics numerical modeling origins of life protocells synthetic biology synthetic cells |
| title | Is Research on “Synthetic Cells” Moving to the Next Level? |
| title_full | Is Research on “Synthetic Cells” Moving to the Next Level? |
| title_fullStr | Is Research on “Synthetic Cells” Moving to the Next Level? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is Research on “Synthetic Cells” Moving to the Next Level? |
| title_short | Is Research on “Synthetic Cells” Moving to the Next Level? |
| title_sort | is research on synthetic cells moving to the next level |
| topic | artificial cells autopoiesis cell-free protein synthesis complexity liposomes microfluidics numerical modeling origins of life protocells synthetic biology synthetic cells |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/9/1/3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT pasqualestano isresearchonsyntheticcellsmovingtothenextlevel |