1
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Weakly HMJ, Wilson KJ, Goetz GJ, Pruitt EL, Li A, Xu L, Keller SL. Several common methods of making vesicles (except an emulsion method) capture intended lipid ratios. Biophys J 2024; 123:3452-3462. [PMID: 39192580 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Researchers choose different methods of making giant unilamellar vesicles to satisfy different constraints of their experimental designs. A challenge that arises when researchers use a variety of methods is that each method may produce vesicles with a different average lipid ratio, even if all experiments use lipids from a common stock mixture. Here, we use mass spectrometry to investigate ratios of lipids in vesicle solutions made by five common methods: electroformation on indium tin oxide slides, electroformation on platinum wires, gentle hydration, emulsion transfer, and extrusion. We made vesicles from either five-component or binary mixtures of lipids chosen to span a wide range of physical properties: di(18:1)PC, di(16:0)PC, di(18:1)PG, di(12:0)PE, and cholesterol. For a mixture of all five of these lipids, ITO electroformation, Pt electroformation, gentle hydration, and extrusion methods result in only minor shifts in lipid ratios (≤5 mol %) relative to a common stock solution. In contrast, emulsion transfer results in ∼80% less cholesterol than expected from the stock solution, which is counterbalanced by a surprising overabundance of saturated PC-lipid relative to all other phospholipids. Experiments using binary mixtures of saturated and unsaturated PC-lipids and cholesterol largely support results from the five-component mixture. In general, our results imply that experiments that increment lipid ratios in small steps will produce data that are highly sensitive to the technique used and to sample-to-sample variations. For example, sample-to-sample variations are ∼±2 mol % for five-component vesicles produced by a single technique. In contrast, experiments that explore larger increments in lipid ratio or that seek to explain general trends and new phenomena will be less sensitive to sample-to-sample variation and the method used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M J Weakly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kent J Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Gunnar J Goetz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Emily L Pruitt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Amy Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Libin Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sarah L Keller
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
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2
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Thaden O, Schneider N, Walther T, Spiller E, Taoum A, Göpfrich K, Duarte Campos D. Bioprinting of Synthetic Cell-like Lipid Vesicles to Augment the Functionality of Tissues after Manufacturing. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:2436-2446. [PMID: 39025476 PMCID: PMC11334175 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Bioprinting is an automated bioassembly method that enables the formation of human tissue-like constructs to restore or replace damaged tissues. Regardless of the employed bioprinting method, cells undergo mechanical stress that can impact their survival and function postprinting. In this study, we investigate the use of a synthetic cell-like unit, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), as adjuvants of the cellular function of human cells postprinting, or in future as the complete replacement of human cells. We analyzed the impact of two nozzle-based bioprinting methods (drop-on-demand and extrusion bioprinting) on the structure, stability, and function of GUVs. We showed that over 65% of the GUVs remain intact when printing at 0.5 bar, demonstrating the potential of using GUVs as a synthetic cell source. We further increased the stability of GUVs in a cell culture medium by introducing polyethylene glycol (PEG) into the GUV lipid membrane. The presence of PEG, however, diminished the structural properties of GUVs postprinting, and reduced the interaction of GUVs with human cells. Although the design of PEG-GUVs can still be modified in future studies for better cell-GUV interactions, we demonstrated that GUVs are functional postprinting. Chlorin e6-PEG-GUVs loaded with a fluorescent dye were bioprinted, and they released the dye postprinting only upon illumination. This is a new strategy to deliver carriers, such as growth factors, drugs, nutrients, or gases, inside large bioprinted specimens on a millimeter to centimeter scale. Overall, we showed that printed GUVs can augment the functionality of manufactured human tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Thaden
- Bioprinting
& Tissue Engineering Group, Center for
Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Nicole Schneider
- Bioprinting
& Tissue Engineering Group, Center for
Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Tobias Walther
- Biophysical
Engineering of Life Group, Center for Molecular
Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Max
Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Erin Spiller
- Bioprinting
& Tissue Engineering Group, Center for
Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Alexandre Taoum
- Bioprinting
& Tissue Engineering Group, Center for
Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Kerstin Göpfrich
- Biophysical
Engineering of Life Group, Center for Molecular
Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Max
Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Daniela Duarte Campos
- Bioprinting
& Tissue Engineering Group, Center for
Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
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3
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Weakly HMJ, Wilson KJ, Goetz GJ, Pruitt EL, Li A, Xu L, Keller SL. Several common methods of making vesicles (except an emulsion method) capture intended lipid ratios. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.21.581444. [PMID: 38948736 PMCID: PMC11212916 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.21.581444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Researchers choose different methods of making giant unilamellar vesicles in order to satisfy different constraints of their experimental designs. A challenge of using a variety of methods is that each may produce vesicles of different lipid compositions, even if all vesicles are made from a common stock mixture. Here, we use mass spectrometry to investigate ratios of lipids in vesicles made by five common methods: electroformation on indium tin oxide slides, electroformation on platinum wires, gentle hydration, emulsion transfer, and extrusion. We made vesicles from either 5-component or binary mixtures of lipids chosen to span a wide range of physical properties: di(18:1)PC, di(16:0)PC, di(18:1)PG, di(12:0)PE, and cholesterol. For a mixture of all five of these lipids, ITO electroformation, Pt electroformation, gentle hydration, and extrusion methods result in only minor shifts (≤ 5 mol%) in lipid ratios of vesicles relative to a common stock solution. In contrast, emulsion transfer results in ∼80% less cholesterol than expected from the stock solution, which is counterbalanced by a surprising overabundance of saturated PC-lipid relative to all other phospholipids. Experiments using binary mixtures of some of the lipids largely support results from the 5-component mixture. Exact values of lipid ratios variations likely depend on the details of each method, so a broader conclusion is that experiments that increment lipid ratios in small steps will be highly sensitive to the method of lipid formation and to sample-to-sample variations, which are low (roughly ±2 mol% in the 5-component mixture and either scale proportionally with increasing mole fraction or remain low). Experiments that increment lipid ratios in larger steps or that seek to explain general trends or new phenomena will be less sensitive to the method used. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Small changes to the amounts and types of lipids in membranes can drastically affect the membrane's behavior. Unfortunately, it is unknown whether (or to what extent) different methods of making vesicles alter the ratios of lipids in membranes, even when identical stock solutions are used. This presents challenges for researchers when comparing data with colleagues who use different methods. Here, we measure ratios of lipid types in vesicle membranes produced by five methods. We assess each method's reproducibility and compare resulting vesicle compositions across methods. In doing so, we provide a quantitative basis that the scientific community can use to estimate whether differences between their results can be simply attributed to differences between methods or to sample-to-sample variations.
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4
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Zhu K, Gispert Contamina I, Ces O, Barter LMC, Hindley JW, Elani Y. Magnetic Modulation of Biochemical Synthesis in Synthetic Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:13176-13182. [PMID: 38691505 PMCID: PMC11099998 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic cells can be constructed from diverse molecular components, without the design constraints associated with modifying 'living' biological systems. This can be exploited to generate cells with abiotic components, creating functionalities absent in biology. One example is magnetic responsiveness, the activation and modulation of encapsulated biochemical processes using a magnetic field, which is absent from existing synthetic cell designs. This is a critical oversight, as magnetic fields are uniquely bio-orthogonal, noninvasive, and highly penetrative. Here, we address this by producing artificial magneto-responsive organelles by coupling thermoresponsive membranes with hyperthermic Fe3O4 nanoparticles and embedding them in synthetic cells. Combining these systems enables synthetic cell microreactors to be built using a nested vesicle architecture, which can respond to alternating magnetic fields through in situ enzymatic catalysis. We also demonstrate the modulation of biochemical reactions by using different magnetic field strengths and the potential to tune the system using different lipid compositions. This platform could unlock a wide range of applications for synthetic cells as programmable micromachines in biomedicine and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen
K. Zhu
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular
Sciences Research Hub, White City, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- fabriCELL, Imperial
College London, Molecular Sciences Research
Hub, White City, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Ignacio Gispert Contamina
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- fabriCELL, Imperial
College London, Molecular Sciences Research
Hub, White City, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular
Sciences Research Hub, White City, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
- fabriCELL, Imperial
College London, Molecular Sciences Research
Hub, White City, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Laura M. C. Barter
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular
Sciences Research Hub, White City, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - James W. Hindley
- Department
of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular
Sciences Research Hub, White City, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
- fabriCELL, Imperial
College London, Molecular Sciences Research
Hub, White City, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City, London W12
0BZ, U.K.
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- fabriCELL, Imperial
College London, Molecular Sciences Research
Hub, White City, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
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5
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Maffeis V, Heuberger L, Nikoletić A, Schoenenberger C, Palivan CG. Synthetic Cells Revisited: Artificial Cells Construction Using Polymeric Building Blocks. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305837. [PMID: 37984885 PMCID: PMC10885666 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The exponential growth of research on artificial cells and organelles underscores their potential as tools to advance the understanding of fundamental biological processes. The bottom-up construction from a variety of building blocks at the micro- and nanoscale, in combination with biomolecules is key to developing artificial cells. In this review, artificial cells are focused upon based on compartments where polymers are the main constituent of the assembly. Polymers are of particular interest due to their incredible chemical variety and the advantage of tuning the properties and functionality of their assemblies. First, the architectures of micro- and nanoscale polymer assemblies are introduced and then their usage as building blocks is elaborated upon. Different membrane-bound and membrane-less compartments and supramolecular structures and how they combine into advanced synthetic cells are presented. Then, the functional aspects are explored, addressing how artificial organelles in giant compartments mimic cellular processes. Finally, how artificial cells communicate with their surrounding and each other such as to adapt to an ever-changing environment and achieve collective behavior as a steppingstone toward artificial tissues, is taken a look at. Engineering artificial cells with highly controllable and programmable features open new avenues for the development of sophisticated multifunctional systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Maffeis
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringBPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24aBaselCH‐4058Switzerland
| | - Lukas Heuberger
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
| | - Anamarija Nikoletić
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | | | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 22BaselCH‐4002Switzerland
- NCCR‐Molecular Systems EngineeringBPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24aBaselCH‐4058Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 82BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
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6
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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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7
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Radhakrishnan S, Nair KS, Nandi S, Bajaj H. Engineering semi-permeable giant liposomes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:13863-13866. [PMID: 37930322 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04039a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with a semi-permeable nature are prerequisites for constructing synthetic cells. Here we engineer semi-permeable GUVs by the inclusion of DOTAP lipid in vesicles. Diffusion of molecules of different charge and size across GUVs are reported. Control over size-selective permeability is demonstrated by modulating the DOTAP lipid composition in different lipid systems without reconstituting membrane proteins. Such semi-permeable GUVs have immense applications for constructing synthetic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreelakshmi Radhakrishnan
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India.
| | - Karthika S Nair
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Samir Nandi
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India.
| | - Harsha Bajaj
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India
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8
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Nair KS, Bajaj H. Advances in giant unilamellar vesicle preparation techniques and applications. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 318:102935. [PMID: 37320960 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.102935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are versatile and promising cell-sized bio-membrane mimetic platforms. Their applications range from understanding and quantifying membrane biophysical processes to acting as elementary blocks in the bottom-up assembly of synthetic cells. Definite properties and requisite goals in GUVs are dictated by the preparation techniques critical to the success of their applications. Here, we review key advances in giant unilamellar vesicle preparation techniques and discuss their formation mechanisms. Developments in lipid hydration and emulsion techniques for GUV preparation are described. Novel microfluidic-based techniques involving lipid or surfactant-stabilized emulsions are outlined. GUV immobilization strategies are summarized, including gravity-based settling, covalent linking, and immobilization by microfluidic, electric, and magnetic barriers. Moreover, some of the key applications of GUVs as biomimetic and synthetic cell platforms during the last decade have been identified. Membrane interface processes like phase separation, membrane protein reconstitution, and membrane bending have been deciphered using GUVs. In addition, vesicles are also employed as building blocks to construct synthetic cells with defined cell-like functions comprising compartments, metabolic reactors, and abilities to grow and divide. We critically discuss the pros and cons of preparation technologies and the properties they confer to the GUVs and identify potential techniques for dedicated applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthika S Nair
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Harsha Bajaj
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre, Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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9
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Vu TQ, Sant'Anna LE, Kamat NP. Tuning Targeted Liposome Avidity to Cells via Lipid Phase Separation. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:1574-1584. [PMID: 36943688 PMCID: PMC10874583 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The addition of both cell-targeting moieties and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to nanoparticle (NP) drug delivery systems is a standard approach to improve the biodistribution, specificity, and uptake of therapeutic cargo. The spatial presentation of these molecules affects avidity of the NP to target cells in part through an interplay between the local ligand concentration and the steric hindrance imposed by PEG molecules. Here, we show that lipid phase separation in nanoparticles can modulate liposome avidity by changing the proximity of PEG and targeting protein molecules on a nanoparticle surface. Using lipid-anchored nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) as a model ligand, we demonstrate that the attachment of lipid anchored Ni-NTA and PEG molecules to distinct lipid domains in nanoparticles can enhance liposome binding to cancer cells by increasing ligand clustering and reducing steric hindrance. We then use this technique to enhance the binding of RGD-modified liposomes, which can bind to integrins overexpressed on many cancer cells. These results demonstrate the potential of lipid phase separation to modulate the spatial presentation of targeting and shielding molecules on lipid nanocarriers, offering a powerful tool to enhance the efficacy of NP drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Q Vu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Lucas E Sant'Anna
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Neha P Kamat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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10
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Zubaite G, Hindley JW, Ces O, Elani Y. Dynamic Reconfiguration of Subcompartment Architectures in Artificial Cells. ACS NANO 2022; 16:9389-9400. [PMID: 35695383 PMCID: PMC9245354 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Artificial cells are minimal structures constructed from biomolecular building blocks designed to mimic cellular processes, behaviors, and architectures. One near-ubiquitous feature of cellular life is the spatial organization of internal content. We know from biology that organization of content (including in membrane-bound organelles) is linked to cellular functions and that this feature is dynamic: the presence, location, and degree of compartmentalization changes over time. Vesicle-based artificial cells, however, are not currently able to mimic this fundamental cellular property. Here, we describe an artificial cell design strategy that addresses this technological bottleneck. We create a series of artificial cell architectures which possess multicompartment assemblies localized either on the inner or on the outer surface of the artificial cell membrane. Exploiting liquid-liquid phase separation, we can also engineer spatially segregated regions of condensed subcompartments attached to the cell surface, aligning with coexisting membrane domains. These structures can sense changes in environmental conditions and respond by reversibly transitioning from condensed multicompartment layers on the membrane surface to a dispersed state in the cell lumen, mimicking the dynamic compartmentalization found in biological cells. Likewise, we engineer exosome-like subcompartments that can be released to the environment. We can achieve this by using two types of triggers: chemical (addition of salts) and mechanical (by pulling membrane tethers using optical traps). These approaches allow us to control the compartmentalization state of artificial cells on population and single-cell levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Zubaite
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - James W. Hindley
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- fabriCELL,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial
College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- fabriCELL,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial
College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Yuval Elani
- fabriCELL,
Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial
College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12
0BZ, United Kingdom
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College
London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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11
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Chien PJ, Shih YL, Cheng CT, Tu HL. Chip assisted formation of phase-separated liposomes for reconstituting spatial protein-lipid interactions. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:2540-2548. [PMID: 35667105 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00089j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Spatially organized molecular interactions are fundamental features underlying many biochemical processes in cells. These spatially defined reactions are essential to ensure high signaling specificity and are indispensable for maintaining cell functions. The construction of synthetic cell models that can resemble such properties is thus important yet less investigated. In this study, we present a reliable method for the rapid production of highly uniform phase-separated liposomes as synthetic cell models. Specifically, a microfluidics-based strategy coupled with custom reagents for generating size-tunable liposomes with various lipid compositions is presented. In addition, an important cell signaling interacting pair, the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain and PIP2 lipid, is used to demonstrate the controlled molecular assembly inside these liposomes. The result shows that PIP2 on phase-separated domains successfully recruits the PH domains to realize spatially defined molecular interactions. Such a system is versatile and can be expanded to synthesize other proteins for realizing multiplexed molecular interactions in the same liposome. Phase-separated lipid domains can also be used to recruit targeted proteins to initiate localized reactions, thus paving the way for organizing a complex signaling cascade in the synthetic cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Jen Chien
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Lun Shih
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Teng Cheng
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, Academia Sinica and National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Hsiung-Lin Tu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, Academia Sinica and National Taiwan University, Taiwan
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12
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Sato Y, Takinoue M. Capsule-like DNA Hydrogels with Patterns Formed by Lateral Phase Separation of DNA Nanostructures. JACS AU 2022; 2:159-168. [PMID: 35098232 PMCID: PMC8790810 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Phase separation is a key phenomenon in artificial cell construction. Recent studies have shown that the liquid-liquid phase separation of designed-DNA nanostructures induces the formation of liquid-like condensates that eventually become hydrogels by lowering the solution temperature. As a compartmental capsule is an essential artificial cell structure, many studies have focused on the lateral phase separation of artificial lipid vesicles. However, controlling phase separation using a molecular design approach remains challenging. Here, we present the lateral liquid-liquid phase separation of DNA nanostructures that leads to the formation of phase-separated capsule-like hydrogels. We designed three types of DNA nanostructures (two orthogonal and a linker nanostructure) that were adsorbed onto an interface of water-in-oil (W/O) droplets via electrostatic interactions. The phase separation of DNA nanostructures led to the formation of hydrogels with bicontinuous, patch, and mix patterns, due to the immiscibility of liquid-like DNA during the self-assembly process. The frequency of appearance of these patterns was altered by designing DNA sequences and altering the mixing ratio of the nanostructures. We constructed a phase diagram for the capsule-like DNA hydrogels by investigating pattern formation under various conditions. The phase-separated DNA hydrogels did not only form on the W/O droplet interface but also on the inner leaflet of lipid vesicles. Notably, the capsule-like hydrogels were extracted into an aqueous solution, maintaining the patterns formed by the lateral phase separation. In addition, the extracted hydrogels were successfully combined with enzymatic reactions, which induced their degradation. Our results provide a method for the design and control of phase-separated hydrogel capsules using sequence-designed DNAs. We envision that by incorporating various DNA nanodevices into DNA hydrogel capsules, the capsules will gain molecular sensing, chemical-information processing, and mechanochemical actuating functions, allowing the construction of functional molecular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Sato
- Frontier
Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
- Department
of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of
Technology, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takinoue
- Department
of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of
Technology, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan
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13
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Dimitriou P, Li J, Tornillo G, McCloy T, Barrow D. Droplet Microfluidics for Tumor Drug-Related Studies and Programmable Artificial Cells. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2021; 5:2000123. [PMID: 34267927 PMCID: PMC8272004 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202000123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer drug development is a crucial step toward cancer treatment, that requires realistic predictions of malignant tissue development and sophisticated drug delivery. Tumors often acquire drug resistance and drug efficacy, hence cannot be accurately predicted in 2D tumor cell cultures. On the other hand, 3D cultures, including multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs), mimic the in vivo cellular arrangement and provide robust platforms for drug testing when grown in hydrogels with characteristics similar to the living body. Microparticles and liposomes are considered smart drug delivery vehicles, are able to target cancerous tissue, and can release entrapped drugs on demand. Microfluidics serve as a high-throughput tool for reproducible, flexible, and automated production of droplet-based microscale constructs, tailored to the desired final application. In this review, it is described how natural hydrogels in combination with droplet microfluidics can generate MCTSs, and the use of microfluidics to produce tumor targeting microparticles and liposomes. One of the highlights of the review documents the use of the bottom-up construction methodologies of synthetic biology for the formation of artificial cellular assemblies, which may additionally incorporate both target cancer cells and prospective drug candidates, as an integrated "droplet incubator" drug assay platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pantelitsa Dimitriou
- Applied Microfluidic LaboratorySchool of EngineeringCardiff UniversityCardiffCF24 3AAUK
| | - Jin Li
- Applied Microfluidic LaboratorySchool of EngineeringCardiff UniversityCardiffCF24 3AAUK
| | - Giusy Tornillo
- Hadyn Ellis BuildingCardiff UniversityMaindy RoadCardiffCF24 4HQUK
| | - Thomas McCloy
- Applied Microfluidic LaboratorySchool of EngineeringCardiff UniversityCardiffCF24 3AAUK
| | - David Barrow
- Applied Microfluidic LaboratorySchool of EngineeringCardiff UniversityCardiffCF24 3AAUK
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14
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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: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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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15
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El-Beyrouthy J, Freeman E. Characterizing the Structure and Interactions of Model Lipid Membranes Using Electrophysiology. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:319. [PMID: 33925756 PMCID: PMC8145864 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11050319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The cell membrane is a protective barrier whose configuration determines the exchange both between intracellular and extracellular regions and within the cell itself. Consequently, characterizing membrane properties and interactions is essential for advancements in topics such as limiting nanoparticle cytotoxicity. Characterization is often accomplished by recreating model membranes that approximate the structure of cellular membranes in a controlled environment, formed using self-assembly principles. The selected method for membrane creation influences the properties of the membrane assembly, including their response to electric fields used for characterizing transmembrane exchanges. When these self-assembled model membranes are combined with electrophysiology, it is possible to exploit their non-physiological mechanics to enable additional measurements of membrane interactions and phenomena. This review describes several common model membranes including liposomes, pore-spanning membranes, solid supported membranes, and emulsion-based membranes, emphasizing their varying structure due to the selected mode of production. Next, electrophysiology techniques that exploit these structures are discussed, including conductance measurements, electrowetting and electrocompression analysis, and electroimpedance spectroscopy. The focus of this review is linking each membrane assembly technique to the properties of the resulting membrane, discussing how these properties enable alternative electrophysiological approaches to measuring membrane characteristics and interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric Freeman
- School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
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16
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Rubio-Sánchez R, Barker SE, Walczak M, Cicuta P, Michele LD. A Modular, Dynamic, DNA-Based Platform for Regulating Cargo Distribution and Transport between Lipid Domains. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:2800-2808. [PMID: 33733783 PMCID: PMC8050828 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c04867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell membranes regulate the distribution of biological machinery between phase-separated lipid domains to facilitate key processes including signaling and transport, which are among the life-like functionalities that bottom-up synthetic biology aims to replicate in artificial-cellular systems. Here, we introduce a modular approach to program partitioning of amphiphilic DNA nanostructures in coexisting lipid domains. Exploiting the tendency of different hydrophobic "anchors" to enrich different phases, we modulate the lateral distribution of our devices by rationally combining hydrophobes and by changing nanostructure size and topology. We demonstrate the functionality of our strategy with a bioinspired DNA architecture, which dynamically undergoes ligand-induced reconfiguration to mediate cargo transport between domains via lateral redistribution. Our findings pave the way to next-generation biomimetic platforms for sensing, transduction, and communication in synthetic cellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Rubio-Sánchez
- Biological
and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Eizagirre Barker
- Biological
and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Michal Walczak
- Biological
and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Biological
and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Di Michele
- Biological
and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
- Molecular
Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
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17
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Giant Vesicles Produced with Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and Phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) by Water-in-Oil Inverted Emulsions. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11030223. [PMID: 33801936 PMCID: PMC7998898 DOI: 10.3390/life11030223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: giant vesicles (GVs) are widely employed as models for studying physicochemical properties of bio-membranes and artificial cell construction due to their similarities to natural cell membranes. Considering the critical roles of GVs, various methods have been developed to prepare them. Notably, the water-in-oil (w/o) inverted emulsion-transfer method is reported to be the most promising, owning to the relatively higher productivity and better encapsulation efficiency of biomolecules. Previously, we successfully established an improved approach to acquire detailed information of 1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)-derived GVs with imaging flow cytometry (IFC); (2) Methods: we prepared GVs with different lipid compositions, including phosphatidylcholines (PCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and PC/PE mixtures by w/o inverted emulsion methods. We comprehensively compared the yield, purity, size, and encapsulation efficiency of the resulting vesicles; (3) Results: the relatively higher productivities of GVs could be obtained from POPC, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DLPE), DOPC: DLPE (7:3), and POPC: DLPE (6:4) pools. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that these GVs are stable during long term preservation in 4 °C. (4) Conclusions: our results will be useful for the analytical study of GVs and GV-based applications.
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18
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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: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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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19
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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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20
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Aden S, Snoj T, Anderluh G. The use of giant unilamellar vesicles to study functional properties of pore-forming toxins. Methods Enzymol 2021; 649:219-251. [PMID: 33712188 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) act upon lipid membranes and appropriate model systems are of great importance in researching these proteins. Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are an excellent model membrane system to study interactions between lipids and proteins. Their main advantage is the size comparable to cells, which means that GUVs can be observed directly under the light microscope. Many PFTs properties can be studied by using GUVs, such as binding specificity, membrane reorganization upon protein binding and oligomerization, pore properties and mechanism of pore formation. GUVs also represent a good model for biotechnological approaches, e.g., in applications in synthetic biology and medicine. Each research area has its own demands for GUVs properties, so several different approaches for GUVs preparations have been developed and will be discussed in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saša Aden
- Department for Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Snoj
- Department for Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department for Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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21
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Li C, Li Q, Wang Z, Han X. Phospholipid Self-Assemblies Shaped Like Ancient Chinese Coins for Artificial Organelles. Anal Chem 2020; 92:6060-6064. [PMID: 32207619 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipid self-assemblies are ubiquitous in organisms. Nonspherical lipid-based proto-organelles bear the merits with structures similar to real organelles. It is still a challenge to mimic mass transport between organelles inside cells. Herein, unusual phospholipid self-assemblies shaped like ancient Chinese coins (ACC) were discovered by the recrystallization of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in an ethanol/water solution from 50 to 25 °C with a certain cooling rate. Their diameter and the ratio of the square edge to the disk diameter were controlled by varying ethanol percentage, lipid concentration, and cooling rate. The ACC-shaped phospholipid bicelles expanded to stacked cisterna structures in pure water, which were regarded as artificial organelles. Mass transport among organelles in a cell was mimicked via the membrane fusion of vesicle shuttles and artificial organelles, which induced cascade enzyme reactions inside artificial organelles. The ACC-shaped phospholipid assemblies provide nice platforms for the studies of cell biology and bottom-up synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Qingchuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Xiaojun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin 150001, China
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22
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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: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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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23
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Mohanan G, Nair KS, Nampoothiri KM, Bajaj H. Engineering bio-mimicking functional vesicles with multiple compartments for quantifying molecular transport. Chem Sci 2020; 11:4669-4679. [PMID: 34122921 PMCID: PMC8159255 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc00084a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Controlled design of giant unilamellar vesicles under defined conditions has vast applications in the field of membrane and synthetic biology. Here, we bio-engineer bacterial-membrane mimicking models of controlled size under defined salt conditions over a range of pH. A complex bacterial lipid extract is used for construction of physiologically relevant Gram-negative membrane mimicking vesicles whereas a ternary mixture of charged lipids (DOPG, cardiolipin and lysyl-PG) is used for building Gram-positive bacterial-membrane vesicles. Furthermore, we construct stable multi-compartment biomimicking vesicles using the gel-assisted swelling method. Importantly, we validate the bio-application of the bacterial vesicle models by quantifying diffusion of chemically synthetic amphoteric antibiotics. The transport rate is pH-responsive and depends on the lipid composition, based on which a permeation model is proposed. The permeability properties of antimicrobial peptides reveal pH dependent pore-forming activity in the model vesicles. Finally, we demonstrate the functionality of the vesicles by quantifying the uptake of membrane-impermeable molecules facilitated by embedded pore-forming proteins. We suggest that the bacterial vesicle models developed here can be used to understand fundamental biological processes like the peptide assembly mechanism or bacterial cell division and will have a multitude of applications in the bottom-up assembly of a protocell. Giant vesicle functional models mimicking a bacterial membrane under physiological conditions are constructed.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Mohanan
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) Trivandrum 695019 Kerala India
| | - Karthika S Nair
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) Trivandrum 695019 Kerala India
| | - K Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) Trivandrum 695019 Kerala India
| | - Harsha Bajaj
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) Trivandrum 695019 Kerala India
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24
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Vázquez-González M, Wang C, Willner I. Biocatalytic cascades operating on macromolecular scaffolds and in confined environments. Nat Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-020-0433-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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25
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Hindley JW, Law RV, Ces O. Membrane functionalization in artificial cell engineering. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-2357-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractBottom-up synthetic biology aims to construct mimics of cellular structure and behaviour known as artificial cells from a small number of molecular components. The development of this nascent field has coupled new insights in molecular biology with large translational potential for application in fields such as drug delivery and biosensing. Multiple approaches have been applied to create cell mimics, with many efforts focusing on phospholipid-based systems. This mini-review focuses on different approaches to incorporating molecular motifs as tools for lipid membrane functionalization in artificial cell construction. Such motifs range from synthetic chemical functional groups to components from extant biology that can be arranged in a ‘plug-and-play’ approach which is hard to replicate in living systems. Rationally designed artificial cells possess the promise of complex biomimetic behaviour from minimal, highly engineered chemical networks.
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26
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Dürre K, Bausch AR. Formation of phase separated vesicles by double layer cDICE. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:9676-9681. [PMID: 31663090 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm02491j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recently, continuous droplet interface crossing encapsulation (cDICE) was developed, which allows fast and efficient production of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) under high salt conditions, at low temperature and with low consumption of the encapsulated proteins. Unfortunately, cholesterol encapsulation within the lipid bilayer was not efficient for the cDICE protocol so far and thus the formation of phase separated vesicles was limited. Here we present a modified version of cDICE that allows incorporation of cholesterol into lipid bilayers and enables the reproducible formation of phase-separated vesicles. We show that cholesterol incorporation relies on the amount of mineral oil in the lipid-oil emulsions, which is essential for protein encapsulation inside GUVs by cDICE. The possibility of creating phase separated vesicles by cDICE will enable the study of the interdependence between phase separation and cytoskeletal proteins under confinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Dürre
- Lehrstuhl für Zellbiophysik E27, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany.
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27
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Moga A, Yandrapalli N, Dimova R, Robinson T. Optimization of the Inverted Emulsion Method for High-Yield Production of Biomimetic Giant Unilamellar Vesicles. Chembiochem 2019; 20:2674-2682. [PMID: 31529570 PMCID: PMC6856842 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In the field of bottom-up synthetic biology, lipid vesicles provide an important role in the construction of artificial cells. Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), due to their membrane's similarity to natural biomembranes, have been widely used as cellular mimics. So far, several methods exist for the production of GUVs with the possibility to encapsulate biological macromolecules. The inverted emulsion-based method is one such technique, which has great potential for rapid production of GUVs with high encapsulation efficiencies for large biomolecules. However, the lack of understanding of various parameters that affect production yields has resulted in sparse adaptation within the membrane and bottom-up synthetic biology research communities. Here, we optimize various parameters of the inverted emulsion-based method to maximize the production of GUVs. We demonstrate that the density difference between the emulsion droplets, oil phase, and the outer aqueous phase plays a crucial role in vesicle formation. We also investigated the impact that centrifugation speed/time, lipid concentration, pH, temperature, and emulsion droplet volume has on vesicle yield and size. Compared to conventional electroformation, our preparation method was not found to significantly alter the membrane mechanical properties. Finally, we optimize the parameters to minimize the time from workbench to microscope and in this way open up the possibility of time-sensitive experiments. In conclusion, our findings will promote the usage of the inverted emulsion method for basic membrane biophysics studies as well as the development of GUVs for use as future artificial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Moga
- Theory & Bio-Systems DepartmentMax Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesPotsdam-Golm Science Park14424PotsdamGermany
| | - Naresh Yandrapalli
- Theory & Bio-Systems DepartmentMax Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesPotsdam-Golm Science Park14424PotsdamGermany
| | - Rumiana Dimova
- Theory & Bio-Systems DepartmentMax Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesPotsdam-Golm Science Park14424PotsdamGermany
| | - Tom Robinson
- Theory & Bio-Systems DepartmentMax Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesPotsdam-Golm Science Park14424PotsdamGermany
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28
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Wang X, Tian L, Du H, Li M, Mu W, Drinkwater BW, Han X, Mann S. Chemical communication in spatially organized protocell colonies and protocell/living cell micro-arrays. Chem Sci 2019; 10:9446-9453. [PMID: 32055320 PMCID: PMC6991169 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc04522h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrays of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with controllable geometries and occupancies are prepared by acoustic trapping and used to implement chemical signaling in protocell colonies and protocell/living cell consortia.
Micro-arrays of discrete or hemifused giant unilamellar lipid vesicles (GUVs) with controllable spatial geometries, lattice dimensions, trapped occupancies and compositions are prepared by acoustic standing wave patterning, and employed as platforms to implement chemical signaling in GUV colonies and protocell/living cell consortia. The methodology offers an alternative approach to GUV micro-array fabrication and provides new opportunities in protocell research and bottom-up synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment , School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Harbin Institute of Technology , Harbin , 150001 , China . .,Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry , School of Chemistry University of Bristol , Bristol , BS8 1TS UK .
| | - Liangfei Tian
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry , School of Chemistry University of Bristol , Bristol , BS8 1TS UK .
| | - Hang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment , School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Harbin Institute of Technology , Harbin , 150001 , China .
| | - Mei Li
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry , School of Chemistry University of Bristol , Bristol , BS8 1TS UK .
| | - Wei Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment , School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Harbin Institute of Technology , Harbin , 150001 , China .
| | | | - Xiaojun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment , School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Harbin Institute of Technology , Harbin , 150001 , China .
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry , School of Chemistry University of Bristol , Bristol , BS8 1TS UK .
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Friddin MS, Elani Y, Trantidou T, Ces O. New Directions for Artificial Cells Using Prototyped Biosystems. Anal Chem 2019; 91:4921-4928. [PMID: 30841694 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics has has enabled the generation of a range of single compartment and multicompartment vesicles and bilayer-delineated droplets that can be assembled in 2D and 3D. These model systems are becoming increasingly used as artificial cell chassis and as biomimetic constructs for assembling tissue models, engineering therapeutic delivery systems, and screening drugs. One bottleneck in developing this technology is the time, expertise, and equipment required for device fabrication. This has led to interest across the microfluidics community in using rapid prototyping to engineer microfluidic devices from computer-aided-design (CAD) drawings. We highlight how this rapid-prototyping revolution is transforming the fabrication of microfluidic devices for artificial cell construction in bottom-up synthetic biology. We provide an outline of the current landscape and present how advances in the field may give rise to the next generation of multifunctional biodevices, particularly with Industry 4.0 on the horizon. Successfully developing this technology and making it open-source could pave the way for a new generation of citizen-led science, fueling the possibility that the next multibillion-dollar start-up could emerge from an attic or a basement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Friddin
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom.,Institute of Chemical Biology , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom.,fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom
| | - Tatiana Trantidou
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom.,Institute of Chemical Biology , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom.,fabriCELL, Molecular Sciences Research Hub , Imperial College London , Wood Lane , London , W12 0BZ , United Kingdom
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Friddin MS, Bolognesi G, Salehi-Reyhani A, Ces O, Elani Y. Direct manipulation of liquid ordered lipid membrane domains using optical traps. Commun Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1038/s42004-018-0101-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
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Trantidou T, Dekker L, Polizzi K, Ces O, Elani Y. Functionalizing cell-mimetic giant vesicles with encapsulated bacterial biosensors. Interface Focus 2018; 8:20180024. [PMID: 30443325 PMCID: PMC6227772 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2018.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of vesicle microsystems as artificial cells (bottom-up synthetic biology) has traditionally relied on the incorporation of molecular components to impart functionality. These cell mimics have reduced capabilities compared with their engineered biological counterparts (top-down synthetic biology), as they lack the powerful metabolic and regulatory pathways associated with living systems. There is increasing scope for using whole intact cellular components as functional modules within artificial cells, as a route to increase the capabilities of artificial cells. In this feasibility study, we design and embed genetically engineered microbes (Escherichia coli) in a vesicle-based cell mimic and use them as biosensing modules for real-time monitoring of lactate in the external environment. Using this conceptual framework, the functionality of other microbial devices can be conferred into vesicle microsystems in the future, bridging the gap between bottom-up and top-down synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Trantidou
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Linda Dekker
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Synthetic Biology and Innovation, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Karen Polizzi
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Synthetic Biology and Innovation, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Oscar Ces
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Yuval Elani
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- fabriCELL, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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Trantidou T, Friddin MS, Salehi-Reyhani A, Ces O, Elani Y. Droplet microfluidics for the construction of compartmentalised model membranes. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:2488-2509. [PMID: 30066008 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00028j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The design of membrane-based constructs with multiple compartments is of increasing importance given their potential applications as microreactors, as artificial cells in synthetic-biology, as simplified cell models, and as drug delivery vehicles. The emergence of droplet microfluidics as a tool for their construction has allowed rapid scale-up in generation throughput, scale-down of size, and control over gross membrane architecture. This is true on several levels: size, level of compartmentalisation and connectivity of compartments can all be programmed to various degrees. This tutorial review explains and explores the reasons behind this. We discuss microfluidic strategies for the generation of a family of compartmentalised systems that have lipid membranes as the basic structural motifs, where droplets are either the fundamental building blocks, or are precursors to the membrane-bound compartments. We examine the key properties associated with these systems (including stability, yield, encapsulation efficiency), discuss relevant device fabrication technologies, and outline the technical challenges. In doing so, we critically review the state-of-play in this rapidly advancing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Trantidou
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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