Background:
Artificial cells, otherwise known as synthetic cells or protocells, are man-made structures that mimic the properties of biological cells. Typically made in laboratory environments, scientists and researchers use a variety of biological and chemical components to replicate the functions and essential characteristics of living cells. Researchers commonly sought characteristics like the ability to adequately perform metabolic processes, cell response to different stimuli, and self-replication qualities. Artificial cells have potential roles and applications in a variety of fields including medicine, biotechnology, and research.
Types of Artificial Cells:
There are several kinds of artificial cells including chemical-based cells, genetically engineered cells, biohybrid, etc.
Chemical-based protocells are designed to emulate certain properties of biological cells using standard chemical materials. Since chemical-based protocells are meant to emulate certain aspects of biological cells, they are often simpler. A membrane, information-carrying molecules (i.e. nucleic acids, DNA, RNA, etc.), as well as catalytic molecules (i.e. ligands, enzymes, etc) are the three main components that make up these protocells. Due to its simplistic nature, chemical-based protocells are often referenced in research regarding the origins of biological life and the evolution of microscopic cells.
Genetically engineered cells are created through modification using synthetic DNA and RNA and biotechnology to alter a cell’s genes and thus characteristics. Genetically engineered cells are used in a variety of settings for a variety of purposes including research, disease modeling, artificial agriculture, etc.
Biohybrid cells are artificial cells created through the combination of biological components and synthetic components typically to enhance the biological component’s characteristics. Applications of biohybrid cells include biocatalysis (enzymes are synthetically turned more effective), artificial organs, and research.
In conclusion, artificial cells have a vast amount of applications in a variety of fields such as medicine, research, and biotechnology.
References
Dalai, P., & Sahai, N. (2019). Mineral–Lipid Interactions in the Origins of Life. Trends in Biochemical Sciences, 44(4), 331–341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2018.11.009
Liu, S. (2017). Sustainability and Stability. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 871–947). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-63783-3.00015-0
Tamura, R., & Toda, M. (2020). Historic Overview of Genetic Engineering Technologies for Human Gene Therapy. Neurologia Medico-chirurgica, 60(10), 483–491. https://doi.org/10.2176/nmc.ra.2020-0049
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