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A partially self-regenerating synthetic cell

Author

Listed:
  • Barbora Lavickova

    (School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

  • Nadanai Laohakunakorn

    (School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh)

  • Sebastian J. Maerkl

    (School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

Abstract

Self-regeneration is a fundamental function of all living systems. Here we demonstrate partial molecular self-regeneration in a synthetic cell. By implementing a minimal transcription-translation system within microfluidic reactors, the system is able to regenerate essential protein components from DNA templates and sustain synthesis activity for over a day. By quantitating genotype-phenotype relationships combined with computational modeling we find that minimizing resource competition and optimizing resource allocation are both critically important for achieving robust system function. With this understanding, we achieve simultaneous regeneration of multiple proteins by determining the required DNA ratios necessary for sustained self-regeneration. This work introduces a conceptual and experimental framework for the development of a self-replicating synthetic cell.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbora Lavickova & Nadanai Laohakunakorn & Sebastian J. Maerkl, 2020. "A partially self-regenerating synthetic cell," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-20180-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20180-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Akshay J. Maheshwari & Jonathan Calles & Sean K. Waterton & Drew Endy, 2023. "Engineering tRNA abundances for synthetic cellular systems," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Songyang Liu & Yanwen Zhang & Xiaoxiao He & Mei Li & Jin Huang & Xiaohai Yang & Kemin Wang & Stephen Mann & Jianbo Liu, 2022. "Signal processing and generation of bioactive nitric oxide in a model prototissue," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Ferdinand Greiss & Nicolas Lardon & Leonie Schütz & Yoav Barak & Shirley S. Daube & Elmar Weinhold & Vincent Noireaux & Roy Bar-Ziv, 2024. "A genetic circuit on a single DNA molecule as an autonomous dissipative nanodevice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Lukas Aufinger & Johann Brenner & Friedrich C. Simmel, 2022. "Complex dynamics in a synchronized cell-free genetic clock," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.

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