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Peng Z, Iwabuchi S, Izumi K, Takiguchi S, Yamaji M, Fujita S, Suzuki H, Kambara F, Fukasawa G, Cooney A, Di Michele L, Elani Y, Matsuura T, Kawano R. Lipid vesicle-based molecular robots. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:996-1029. [PMID: 38239102 PMCID: PMC10898420 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00860f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
A molecular robot, which is a system comprised of one or more molecular machines and computers, can execute sophisticated tasks in many fields that span from nanomedicine to green nanotechnology. The core parts of molecular robots are fairly consistent from system to system and always include (i) a body to encapsulate molecular machines, (ii) sensors to capture signals, (iii) computers to make decisions, and (iv) actuators to perform tasks. This review aims to provide an overview of approaches and considerations to develop molecular robots. We first introduce the basic technologies required for constructing the core parts of molecular robots, describe the recent progress towards achieving higher functionality, and subsequently discuss the current challenges and outlook. We also highlight the applications of molecular robots in sensing biomarkers, signal communications with living cells, and conversion of energy. Although molecular robots are still in their infancy, they will unquestionably initiate massive change in biomedical and environmental technology in the not too distant future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zugui Peng
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo185-8588, Japan.
| | - Shoji Iwabuchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo185-8588, Japan.
| | - Kayano Izumi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo185-8588, Japan.
| | - Sotaro Takiguchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo185-8588, Japan.
| | - Misa Yamaji
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo185-8588, Japan.
| | - Shoko Fujita
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo185-8588, Japan.
| | - Harune Suzuki
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo185-8588, Japan.
| | - Fumika Kambara
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo185-8588, Japan.
| | - Genki Fukasawa
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Aileen Cooney
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0AS, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
- FabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- FabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Tomoaki Matsuura
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Ryuji Kawano
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo185-8588, Japan.
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Govey-Scotland J, Johnstone L, Myant C, Friddin MS. Towards skin-on-a-chip for screening the dermal absorption of cosmetics. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:5068-5080. [PMID: 37938128 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00691c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, there have been increasing global efforts to limit or ban the use of animals for testing cosmetic products. This ambition has been at the heart of international endeavours to develop new in vitro and animal-free approaches for assessing the safety of cosmetics. While several of these new approach methodologies (NAMs) have been approved for assessing different toxicological endpoints in the UK and across the EU, there remains an absence of animal-free methods for screening for dermal absorption; a measure that assesses the degree to which chemical substances can become systemically available through contact with human skin. Here, we identify some of the major technical barriers that have impacted regulatory recognition of an in vitro skin model for this purpose and propose how these could be overcome on-chip using artificial cells engineered from the bottom-up. As part of our future perspective, we suggest how this could be realised using a digital biomanufacturing pipeline that connects the design, microfluidic generation and 3D printing of artificial cells into user-crafted synthetic tissues. We highlight milestone achievements towards this goal, identify future challenges, and suggest how the ability to engineer animal-free skin models could have significant long-term consequences for dermal absorption screening, as well as for other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Govey-Scotland
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
- Institute for Molecular Sciences and Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - Liam Johnstone
- Office for Product Safety and Standards, 1 Victoria Street, SW1H 0ET, London, UK
| | - Connor Myant
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
| | - Mark S Friddin
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
- Institute for Molecular Sciences and Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London and Kings College London, London, UK
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3
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Chen X, Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Li B, Li Y, Jiang L. Optical Manipulation of Soft Matter. SMALL METHODS 2023:e2301105. [PMID: 37818749 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Optical manipulation has emerged as a pivotal tool in soft matter research, offering superior applicability, spatiotemporal precision, and manipulation capabilities compared to conventional methods. Here, an overview of the optical mechanisms governing the interaction between light and soft matter materials during manipulation is provided. The distinct characteristics exhibited by various soft matter materials, including liquid crystals, polymers, colloids, amphiphiles, thin liquid films, and biological soft materials are highlighted, and elucidate their fundamental response characteristics to optical manipulation techniques. This knowledge serves as a foundation for designing effective strategies for soft matter manipulation. Moreover, the diverse range of applications and future prospects that arise from the synergistic collaboration between optical manipulation and soft matter materials in emerging fields are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xixi Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Baojun Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Yuchao Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Lingxiang Jiang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
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4
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Supramaniam P, Wang Z, Chatzimichail S, Parperis C, Kumar A, Ho V, Ces O, Salehi-Reyhani A. Measuring Encapsulation Efficiency in Cell-Mimicking Giant Unilamellar Vesicles. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1227-1238. [PMID: 36977193 PMCID: PMC10127275 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
One of the main drivers within the field of bottom-up synthetic biology is to develop artificial chemical machines, perhaps even living systems, that have programmable functionality. Numerous toolkits exist to generate giant unilamellar vesicle-based artificial cells. However, methods able to quantitatively measure their molecular constituents upon formation is an underdeveloped area. We report an artificial cell quality control (AC/QC) protocol using a microfluidic-based single-molecule approach, enabling the absolute quantification of encapsulated biomolecules. While the measured average encapsulation efficiency was 11.4 ± 6.8%, the AC/QC method allowed us to determine encapsulation efficiencies per vesicle, which varied significantly from 2.4 to 41%. We show that it is possible to achieve a desired concentration of biomolecule within each vesicle by commensurate compensation of its concentration in the seed emulsion. However, the variability in encapsulation efficiency suggests caution is necessary when using such vesicles as simplified biological models or standards.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zibo Wang
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0HS, U.K
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, London SE1 1DB, U.K
| | | | - Christopher Parperis
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, London SE1 1DB, U.K
| | - Aditi Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Vanessa Ho
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Ali Salehi-Reyhani
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0HS, U.K
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
- Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
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Cheppali SK, Dharan R, Sorkin R. Forces of Change: Optical Tweezers in Membrane Remodeling Studies. J Membr Biol 2022; 255:677-690. [PMID: 35616705 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-022-00241-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Optical tweezers allow precise measurement of forces and distances with piconewton and nanometer precision, and have thus been instrumental in elucidating the mechanistic details of various biological processes. Some examples include the characterization of motor protein activity, studies of protein-DNA interactions, and characterizing protein folding trajectories. The use of optical tweezers (OT) to study membranes is, however, much less abundant. Here, we review biophysical studies of membranes that utilize optical tweezers, with emphasis on various assays that have been developed and their benefits and limitations. First, we discuss assays that employ membrane-coated beads, and overview protein-membrane interactions studies based on manipulation of such beads. We further overview a body of studies that make use of a very powerful experimental tool, the combination of OT, micropipette aspiration, and fluorescence microscopy, that allow detailed studies of membrane curvature generation and sensitivity. Finally, we describe studies focused on membrane fusion and fission. We then summarize the overall progress in the field and outline future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudheer K Cheppali
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Center for Light-Matter Interaction, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Raviv Dharan
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Center for Light-Matter Interaction, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Raya Sorkin
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. .,Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. .,Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. .,Center for Light-Matter Interaction, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Clusters of apoptotic signaling molecule-enriched rafts, CASMERs: membrane platforms for protein assembly in Fas/CD95 signaling and targets in cancer therapy. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1105-1118. [PMID: 35587168 PMCID: PMC9246327 DOI: 10.1042/bst20211115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian cells show the ability to commit suicide through the activation of death receptors at the cell surface. Death receptors, among which Fas/CD95 is one of their most representative members, lack enzymatic activity, and depend on protein-protein interactions to signal apoptosis. Fas/CD95 death receptor-mediated apoptosis requires the formation of the so-called death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), bringing together Fas/CD95, Fas-associated death domain-containing protein and procaspase-8. In the last two decades, cholesterol-rich lipid raft platforms have emerged as scaffolds where Fas/CD95 can be recruited and clustered. The co-clustering of Fas/CD95 and rafts facilitates DISC formation, bringing procaspase-8 molecules to be bunched together in a limited membrane region, and leading to their autoproteolytic activation by oligomerization. Lipid raft platforms serve as a specific region for the clustering of Fas/CD95 and DISC, as well as for the recruitment of additional downstream signaling molecules, thus forming the so-called cluster of apoptotic signaling molecule-enriched rafts, or CASMER. These raft/CASMER structures float in the membrane like icebergs, in which the larger portion lies inside the cell and communicates with other subcellular structures to facilitate apoptotic signal transmission. This allows an efficient spatiotemporal compartmentalization of apoptosis signaling machinery during the triggering of cell death. This concept of proapoptotic raft platforms as a basic chemical-biological structure in the regulation of cell death has wide-ranging implications in human biology and disease, as well as in cancer therapy. Here, we discuss how these raft-centered proapoptotic hubs operate as a major linchpin for apoptosis signaling and as a promising target in cancer therapy.
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Ip T, Li Q, Brooks N, Elani Y. Manufacture of Multilayered Artificial Cell Membranes through Sequential Bilayer Deposition on Emulsion Templates. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2275-2281. [PMID: 33617681 PMCID: PMC8360201 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Efforts to manufacture artificial cells that replicate the architectures, processes and behaviours of biological cells are rapidly increasing. Perhaps the most commonly reconstructed cellular structure is the membrane, through the use of unilamellar vesicles as models. However, many cellular membranes, including bacterial double membranes, nuclear envelopes, and organelle membranes, are multilamellar. Due to a lack of technologies available for their controlled construction, multilayered membranes are not part of the repertoire of cell-mimetic motifs used in bottom-up synthetic biology. To address this, we developed emulsion-based technologies that allow cell-sized multilayered vesicles to be produced layer-by-layer, with compositional control over each layer, thus enabling studies that would otherwise remain inaccessible. We discovered that bending rigidities scale with the number of layers and demonstrate inter-bilayer registration between coexisting liquid-liquid domains. These technologies will contribute to the exploitation of multilayered membrane structures, paving the way for incorporating protein complexes that span multiple bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsoi Ip
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonMolecular Sciences Research Hub White CityLondonW12 0BZUK
| | - Qien Li
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonMolecular Sciences Research Hub White CityLondonW12 0BZUK
| | - Nick Brooks
- Department of ChemistryImperial College LondonMolecular Sciences Research Hub White CityLondonW12 0BZUK
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemical EngineeringImperial College London South KensingtonLondonSW7 2AZUK
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Zhang Y, Min C, Dou X, Wang X, Urbach HP, Somekh MG, Yuan X. Plasmonic tweezers: for nanoscale optical trapping and beyond. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2021; 10:59. [PMID: 33731693 PMCID: PMC7969631 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-021-00474-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Optical tweezers and associated manipulation tools in the far field have had a major impact on scientific and engineering research by offering precise manipulation of small objects. More recently, the possibility of performing manipulation with surface plasmons has opened opportunities not feasible with conventional far-field optical methods. The use of surface plasmon techniques enables excitation of hotspots much smaller than the free-space wavelength; with this confinement, the plasmonic field facilitates trapping of various nanostructures and materials with higher precision. The successful manipulation of small particles has fostered numerous and expanding applications. In this paper, we review the principles of and developments in plasmonic tweezers techniques, including both nanostructure-assisted platforms and structureless systems. Construction methods and evaluation criteria of the techniques are presented, aiming to provide a guide for the design and optimization of the systems. The most common novel applications of plasmonic tweezers, namely, sorting and transport, sensing and imaging, and especially those in a biological context, are critically discussed. Finally, we consider the future of the development and new potential applications of this technique and discuss prospects for its impact on science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuquan Zhang
- Nanophotonics Research Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Technology & Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Changjun Min
- Nanophotonics Research Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Technology & Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| | - Xiujie Dou
- Nanophotonics Research Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Technology & Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Optics Research Group, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628CJ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Xianyou Wang
- Nanophotonics Research Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Technology & Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Hendrik Paul Urbach
- Optics Research Group, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628CJ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Michael G Somekh
- Nanophotonics Research Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Technology & Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xiaocong Yuan
- Nanophotonics Research Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Technology & Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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9
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Elani Y. Interfacing Living and Synthetic Cells as an Emerging Frontier in Synthetic Biology. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 133:5662-5671. [PMID: 38505493 PMCID: PMC10946473 DOI: 10.1002/ange.202006941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The construction of artificial cells from inanimate molecular building blocks is one of the grand challenges of our time. In addition to being used as simplified cell models to decipher the rules of life, artificial cells have the potential to be designed as micromachines deployed in a host of clinical and industrial applications. The attractions of engineering artificial cells from scratch, as opposed to re-engineering living biological cells, are varied. However, it is clear that artificial cells cannot currently match the power and behavioural sophistication of their biological counterparts. Given this, many in the synthetic biology community have started to ask: is it possible to interface biological and artificial cells together to create hybrid living/synthetic systems that leverage the advantages of both? This article will discuss the motivation behind this cellular bionics approach, in which the boundaries between living and non-living matter are blurred by bridging top-down and bottom-up synthetic biology. It details the state of play of this nascent field and introduces three generalised hybridisation modes that have emerged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemical EngineeringImperial College LondonExhibition RoadLondonUK
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10
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Elani Y. Interfacing Living and Synthetic Cells as an Emerging Frontier in Synthetic Biology. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:5602-5611. [PMID: 32909663 PMCID: PMC7983915 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202006941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The construction of artificial cells from inanimate molecular building blocks is one of the grand challenges of our time. In addition to being used as simplified cell models to decipher the rules of life, artificial cells have the potential to be designed as micromachines deployed in a host of clinical and industrial applications. The attractions of engineering artificial cells from scratch, as opposed to re-engineering living biological cells, are varied. However, it is clear that artificial cells cannot currently match the power and behavioural sophistication of their biological counterparts. Given this, many in the synthetic biology community have started to ask: is it possible to interface biological and artificial cells together to create hybrid living/synthetic systems that leverage the advantages of both? This article will discuss the motivation behind this cellular bionics approach, in which the boundaries between living and non-living matter are blurred by bridging top-down and bottom-up synthetic biology. It details the state of play of this nascent field and introduces three generalised hybridisation modes that have emerged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemical EngineeringImperial College LondonExhibition RoadLondonUK
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11
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Xin H, Li Y, Liu YC, Zhang Y, Xiao YF, Li B. Optical Forces: From Fundamental to Biological Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2001994. [PMID: 32715536 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202001994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Optical forces, generally arising from changes of field gradients or linear momentum carried by photons, form the basis for optical trapping and manipulation. Advances in optical forces help to reveal the nature of light-matter interactions, giving answers to a wide range of questions and solving problems across various disciplines, and are still yielding new insights in many exciting sciences, particularly in the fields of biological technology, material applications, and quantum sciences. This review focuses on recent advances in optical forces, ranging from fundamentals to applications for biological exploration. First, the basics of different types of optical forces with new light-matter interaction mechanisms and near-field techniques for optical force generation beyond the diffraction limit with nanometer accuracy are described. Optical forces for biological applications from in vitro to in vivo are then reviewed. Applications from individual manipulation to multiple assembly into functional biophotonic probes and soft-matter superstructures are discussed. At the end future directions for application of optical forces for biological exploration are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbao Xin
- Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Yuchao Li
- Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Yong-Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Low-Dimensional Quantum Physics, Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Yun-Feng Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Mesoscopic Physics and Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- Peking University Yangtze Delta Institute of Optoelectronics, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226010, China
| | - Baojun Li
- Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
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Nobeyama T, Shigyou K, Nakatsuji H, Sugiyama H, Komura N, Ando H, Hamada T, Murakami T. Control of Lipid Bilayer Phases of Cell-Sized Liposomes by Surface-Engineered Plasmonic Nanoparticles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:7741-7746. [PMID: 32502354 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-ordered (Lo)-phase domains, a cholesterol-rich area on lipid bilayers, have attracted significant attention recently because of their relevance to lipid rafts, the formation/collapse of which is associated with various kinds of information exchange through the plasma membrane. Here, we demonstrate that the formation/collapse of Lo-phase domains in cell-sized liposomes, that is, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), can be controlled with bioactive plasmonic nanoparticles and light. The nanoparticles were prepared by surface modification of gold nanorods (AuNRs) using a cationized mutant of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is a natural cholesterol transporter. Upon the addition of surface-engineered AuNRs to GUVs with the mixed domains of Lo and liquid-disorder (Ld) phases, the Lo domains collapsed and solid-ordered (So)-phase domains were formed. The reverse phase transition was achieved photothermally, with the AuNRs loaded with cholesterol. During these transitions, the AuNRs appeared to be selectively localized on the less fluidic domain (Lo or So) in the phase-mixed GUVs. These results indicate that the phase transitions occur through the membrane binding of the AuNRs followed by spontaneous/photothermal transfer of cholesterol between the AuNRs and GUVs. Our strategy to develop bioactive AuNRs potentially enables spatiotemporal control of the formation/collapse of lipid rafts in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Nobeyama
- Graduate School of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398, Japan
| | - Kazuki Shigyou
- Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Nakatsuji
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University Institute of Advanced Study (KUIAS), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Naoko Komura
- Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
- Center for Highly Advanced Integration of Nano and Life Sciences (G-CHAIN), Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Hiromune Ando
- Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
- Center for Highly Advanced Integration of Nano and Life Sciences (G-CHAIN), Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Hamada
- School of Material Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Murakami
- Graduate School of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398, Japan
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University Institute of Advanced Study (KUIAS), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0393, Japan
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Membrane interactions in drug delivery: Model cell membranes and orthogonal techniques. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 281:102177. [PMID: 32417568 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2020.102177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
To generate the desired effect in the human body, the active pharmaceutical ingredient usually needs to interact with a receptor located on the cell membrane or inside the cell. Thus, understanding membrane interactions is of great importance when it comes to the development and testing of new drug molecules or new drug delivery systems. Nowadays, there is a tremendous selection of both model cell membranes and of techniques that can be used to characterize interactions between selected model cell membranes and a drug molecule, an excipient, or a drug delivery system. Having such a wide selection of model cell membranes and techniques available makes it sometimes challenging to select the optimal combination for a specific study. Furthermore, it is difficult to compare results obtained using different model cell membranes and techniques, and not all in vitro studies translate as well to an estimation of the in vivo biological activity or understanding of mode of action. This review provides an overview of the available lipid bilayer-based model cell membranes and of the most widely employed techniques for studying membrane interactions. Finally, the need for employing complimentary characterization techniques in order to acquire more reliable and in-depth information is highlighted.
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Fusing Artificial Cell Compartments and Lipid Domains Using Optical Traps: A Tool to Modulate Membrane Composition and Phase Behaviour. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:mi11040388. [PMID: 32272670 PMCID: PMC7230983 DOI: 10.3390/mi11040388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
New technologies for manipulating biomembranes have vast potential to aid the understanding of biological phenomena, and as tools to sculpt novel artificial cell architectures for synthetic biology. The manipulation and fusion of vesicles using optical traps is amongst the most promising due to the level of spatiotemporal control it affords. Herein, we conduct a suite of feasibility studies to show the potential of optical trapping technologies to (i) modulate the lipid composition of a vesicle by delivering new membrane material through fusion events and (ii) manipulate and controllably fuse coexisting membrane domains for the first time. We also outline some noteworthy morphologies and transitions that the vesicle undergoes during fusion, which gives us insight into the mechanisms at play. These results will guide future exploitation of laser-assisted membrane manipulation methods and feed into a technology roadmap for this emerging technology.
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