Engineering Cyborg Bacteria Through Intracellular Hydrogelation.

ABSTRACT: Natural and artificial cells are two common chassis in synthetic biology. Natural cells can perform complex tasks through synthetic genetic constructs, but their autonomous replication often causes safety concerns for biomedical applications. In contrast, artificial cells based on nonreplicating materials, albeit possessing reduced biochemical complexity, provide more defined and controllable functions. Here, for the first time, the authors create hybrid material-cell entities termed Cyborg Cells. To create Cyborg Cells, a synthetic polymer network is assembled inside each bacterium, rendering them incapable of dividing. Cyborg Cells preserve essential functions, including cellular metabolism, motility, protein synthesis, and compatibility with genetic circuits. Cyborg Cells also acquire n

SUBMITTER: Contreras-Llano LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10037956 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature