Physicochemical considerations for bottom-up synthetic biology. Issue 5 (28th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Śmigiel, Wojciech Mikołaj; Lefrançois, Pauline; Poolman, Bert
• Editors: Bayley, Hagan
• Is Part Of: Emerging topics in life sciences. Volume 3:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 445
• Page End: 458
• Publication Date: 2019-08-28
• Subjects: bottom-up synthetic cells -- macromolecular crowding -- membrane reconstitution -- physicochemical homeostasis -- synthetic biochemistry -- vesicles; Life sciences -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1042/ETLS20190017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2397-8554

Abstract

Abstract : The bottom-up construction of synthetic cells from molecular components is arguably one of the most challenging areas of research in the life sciences. We review the impact of confining biological systems in synthetic vesicles. Complex cell-like systems require control of the internal pH, ionic strength, (macro)molecular crowding, redox state and metabolic energy conservation. These physicochemical parameters influence protein activity and need to be maintained within limits to ensure the system remains in steady-state. We present the physicochemical considerations for building synthetic cells with dimensions ranging from the smallest prokaryotes to eukaryotic cells.