biostudies-literatureSong SGeneralitat de Catalunyala Caixa;FoundationEuropean Research CouncilDutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport | Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment)EC | Horizon 2020 Framework ProgrammeGeneralitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia)la Caixa;Foundation (Caixa Foundation)Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport | Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en MilieuEC | Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020)6897https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8617035biostudies-literatureUnknown12(1)Random fluctuations are inherent to all complex molecular systems. Although nature has evolved mechanisms to control stochastic events to achieve the desired biological output, reproducing this in synthetic systems represents a significant challenge. Here we present an artificial platform that enables us to exploit stochasticity to direct motile behavior. We found that enzymes, when confined to the fluidic polymer membrane of a core-shell coacervate, were distributed stochastically in time and space. This resulted in a transient, asymmetric configuration of propulsive units, which imparted motility to such coacervates in presence of substrate. This mechanism was confirmed by stochastic modelling and simulations in silico. Furthermore, we showed that a deeper understanding of the mechanism of stochasticity could be utilized to modulate the motion output. Conceptually, this work represents a leap in design philosophy in the construction of synthetic systems with life-like behaviors.Nature communicationsEngineering transient dynamics of artificial cells by stochastic distribution of enzymes.PMC8617035CERCA ProgramGravitation Program 024.001.035Gravitation Networks grant 024.002.003LCF/BQ/SO16/52270018ERC consolidator grantMarie Skłodowska-Curie action (GA 712754)ERC Advanced Grant (Artisym 694120)694120Abdelmohsen LKEAMason AFvan der Hofstad RWSanchez SYewdall NASong SCao SPost RAJMestre RDe Corato Mvan Hest JCMfalseEngineering transient dynamics of artificial cells by stochastic distribution of enzymes.Random fluctuations are inherent to all complex molecular systems. Although nature has evolved mechanisms to control stochastic events to achieve the desired biological output, reproducing this in synthetic systems represents a significant challenge. Here we present an artificial platform that enables us to exploit stochasticity to direct motile behavior. We found that enzymes, when confined to the fluidic polymer membrane of a core-shell coacervate, were distributed stochastically in time and space. This resulted in a transient, asymmetric configuration of propulsive units, which imparted motility to such coacervates in presence of substrate. This mechanism was confirmed by stochastic modelling and simulations in silico. Furthermore, we showed that a deeper understanding of the mechanism of stochasticity could be utilized to modulate the motion output. Conceptually, this work represents a leap in design philosophy in the construction of synthetic systems with life-like behaviors.2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Nov2024-02-15T09:58:04.774Z2022-02-11T15:22:04.475ZS-EPMC86170353482423110.1038/s41467-021-27229-0