Pioneering Research Using Bacteria Brings Scientists a Step Closer to Creating Artificial Cells with Lifelike Functionality
Published:30 Sep.2022 Source:University of Bristol
Scientists have harnessed the potential of bacteria to help build advanced synthetic cells which mimic real life functionality.
The research, led by the University of Bristol and published today in Nature, makes important progress in deploying synthetic cells, known as protocells, to more accurately represent the complex compositions, structure, and function of living cells.
As a step towards the construction of a synthetic/living cell entity, the researchers implanted living bacteria into the protocells to generate self-sustainable ATP production and long-term energization for glycolysis, gene expression and cytoskeletal assembly. Curiously, the protoliving constructs adopted an amoeba-like external morphology due to on-site bacterial metabolism and growth to produce a cellular bionic system with integrated life-like properties.