Scientists create artificial cells that mimic the ability of living cells to capture, process, and discharge substances

Researchers have developed artificial cell-like structures that use inorganic substances to autonomously ingest, process, and discharge substances-reconstructing the basic functions of living cells

Their article published in the journal Nature provides a blueprint for creating "cell simulations" with potential applications ranging from drug delivery to environmental science

A basic function of living cells is the system that can extract energy from the environment and pump molecules in and out of them

For decades, researchers have been committed to creating artificial cells, that is, artificial cell engineering microstructures that mimic the characteristics and behavior of biological cells

In a study in the journal Nature, researchers from New York University and the University of Chicago described a new, fully synthetic analog cell that is one step closer to replicating the function of living cells

To design a cell simulation, the researchers used a polymer to create a spherical membrane the size of a red blood cell.

But in order to complete the tasks required for active transportation, the simulated cell needs a mechanism to drive a cell-like structure to absorb and discharge substances

Stefano Sacanna, associate professor of chemistry at New York University and lead author of the study, said: "Our design concept enables these artificial cell mimics to operate autonomously and perform active transport tasks that have been limited to living cells so far

The researchers tested cell simulations in different environments

Sacanna said: "Imagine cells mimicking a Pac-Man video game-they eat pollutants everywhere and remove them from the environment

In another experiment, they proved that this cell mimic can swallow E.

Researchers are continuing to develop and study cell simulations, including building cells that perform different tasks, and learning how different types of cells communicate with each other

Original search:

Transmembrane transport in inorganic colloidal cell-mimics

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