Scientists from the University of Basel have made a significant advancement in the realm of cell biology. They have successfully developed basic cells that respond to their environment, equipped with artificial organelles. They have also managed to replicate cell-cell communication with these synthetic cells, inspired by the functioning of photoreceptors in our eyes. This breakthrough could spur further scientific exploration and pave the way for medical applications.
Cell communication is a vital aspect of life, from single-celled bacteria to complex multicellular organisms. This is the first instance of successful replication of this natural communication process using synthetic cells. The research was spearheaded by Professor Cornelia Palivan from the University of Basel and Nobel laureate Professor Ben Feringa from the University of Groningen. They have published their findings in the respected scientific journal, Advanced Materials.
Palivan and her team are known for their work on tiny polymer containers that can be loaded with specific molecules and opened in a targeted way. They have now taken a step further, creating “cell-sized microcontainers packed with specialized nanocontainers”, as explained by Palivan. This has enabled them to emulate cells with cell organelles, resulting in a highly simplified synthetic cell also known as a protocell.
The researchers have developed a system of protocells that mimics signal transmission in the retina of the eye. The system involves light-responsive protocells, the “senders”, and receiver protocells. Within the sender cells are nanocontainers with membranes containing special light-sensitive molecules, known as molecular motors. These molecular motors can be activated using a light pulse, which triggers the release of a specific substance (substance A) from the nanocontainers into the sender cell’s interior.
This substance can then exit the sender cell through pores in its polymer shell and reach the receiver cell via the surrounding fluid. Once inside the receiver cell, the substance encounters artificial organelles harboring an enzyme that converts it into a fluorescence signal. This glowing signal indicates successful signal transmission between the sender and receiver cells.
In natural photoreceptors, calcium ions play a critical role in regulating the transmission of stimuli, helping the eye adjust to bright light. In a similar vein, the researchers designed the artificial organelles in the receiver cells to respond to calcium ions, thus allowing the conversion of substance A into a fluorescence signal to be regulated.
This innovative approach, as stated by Palivan, has enabled them to create a temporally and spatially controllable system that mirrors natural cell communication. It opens up the possibility of synthetically replicating more complex cell communication networks, thereby providing a better understanding of them. It also creates the potential for developing communication networks between synthetic and natural cells, potentially leading to therapeutic applications in disease treatment and synthetic tissue development.
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