In search of a novel chassis material for synthetic cells: emergence of synthetic peptide compartment. Issue 48 (12th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Bineet; Ma, Yutao; Ferguson, Andrew L.; Liu, Allen P.
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 16:Issue 48(2020)
• Page Start: 10769
• Page End: 10780
• Publication Date: 2020-11-12
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01644f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : Giant lipid vesicles have been used extensively as a synthetic cell model to recapitulate various life-like processes. In recent years, peptide vesicles are gaining attention as an alternative chassis material. Abstract : Giant lipid vesicles have been used extensively as a synthetic cell model to recapitulate various life-like processes, including in vitro protein synthesis, DNA replication, and cytoskeleton organization. Cell-sized lipid vesicles are mechanically fragile in nature and prone to rupture due to osmotic stress, which limits their usability. Recently, peptide vesicles have been introduced as a synthetic cell model that would potentially overcome the aforementioned limitations. Peptide vesicles are robust, reasonably more stable than lipid vesicles and can withstand harsh conditions including pH, thermal, and osmotic variations. This mini-review summarizes the current state-of-the-art in the design, engineering, and realization of peptide-based chassis materials, including both experimental and computational work. We present an outlook for simulation-aided and data-driven design and experimental realization of engineered and multifunctional synthetic cells.