H2020Индивидуална стипендия2018–2020

DNA-ENC SYNCELLS · DNA Lattice-Encoded Information for Genotype-to-Phenotype Evolution of Self-Replicating Synthetic Cells

„Хоризонт 2020“ — Действия „Мария Склодовска-Кюри“

Период: 2018-03-01 → 2020-02-29
Финансиране от ЕС: 159 461 €
Участници: 1
Схема: MSCA-IF

Линиите свързват координатора с партньорите.

Накратко на български

Синтетични клетки се създават чрез комбиниране на микрофлуидика и ДНК нанотехнологии, за да се изградят структури като изкуствени йонни канали. Тези системи помагат за разработването на активни сонди, които могат да се използват вътре в човешкото тяло.

Този кратък обзор е генериран от изкуствен интелект

Кратко обяснение, генерирано от езиков модел по текста на CORDIS. Оригиналът е по-долу.

Резултати накратко

DNA Lattice-Encoded Information for Genotype-to-Phenotype Evolution of Self-Replicating Synthetic Cells

Living cells may be the most sophisticated example of functional machines operating on the nano- and microscale. But is it possible engineer synthetic analogues in the laboratory? In this fellowship, we propose a strategy to engineer cells de novo, by merging two precision technologies, microfluidics and DNA nanotechnology, to position and manipulate functional parts in space and time [1]. In particular, we use DNA as a near-universal linker to functionalize microfluidic compartments. Using this DNA handle approach, we demonstrate the stimuli-responsive attachment of natural and synthetic subcellular components. We further employ DNA to construct functional parts, including ion channels or a pH-responsive DNA-based cytoskeleton mimic, which serves as a stabilizing cortex. Following passive encapsulation, we actuate DNA nanostructures in microfluidic or lipid-based compartments to assemble dynamic systems with structural reconfigurability. By the integration of plasmonic probes we achieve real-time optical feedback to monitor the dynamics upon external stimulation. These unique tools bridging the mico- and nanoscale will enable synthetic cellular systems, which are not merely copies of nature’s own example of life, but prescribe a direction towards synthetic cellular machines, ultimately applicable as active probes inside the human body.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз

Цел на проекта

Within the framework of DNA-ENC SYNCELLS I will develop a synthetic inheritable genome capable of Darwinian evolution which encodes for the phenotype of self-replicating synthetic cells. The defining principles of life, namely compartmentalisation, replication and evolution, will thus be realised in a completely synthetic system for the first time. Two types of DNA tiles – a stiff and a soft tile – arranged in a lattice will serve as bits of information, replicating, without any enzymes, via mechanical scission. The DNA lattice will further act as an artificial cytoskeleton specifying the mechanics and shaping the phenotype of synthetic compartments assembled on a microfluidic chip. After sequentially adding the DNA tiles and catalysts for lipogenesis, the synthetic cells will be subjected to multiple growth and mechanically initiated division cycles. Variations in the mechanical properties will influence the division rate and thus lead to evolution in heterogeneous populations. The evolutionary trajectory of the system will be studied under different selection pressures. Within this two-year fellowship, hosted at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg and supervised by Prof. Joachim Spatz, I will contribute to the fundamental knowledge of synthetic cells and enhance its applicability using programmable man-made materials. Greatly profiting from the synergy between my expertise on DNA nanotechnology and the host’s high-quality research on microfluidics, synthetic biology and biophysics, this interdisciplinary project will open up broad perspectives for cellular machines capable of autonomous cargo transport, pathogen recognition or as substrates for 3D-bioprinting and tissue repair in vitro and in vivo – the envisioned focus of my subsequent career in research.

Оригинален текст от CORDIS (на английски).

Участници

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV · MUNCHENКоординаторГермания