Synthetic Cells

On March 4, 2011, it was reported that at the Scripps Research Institute scientists are able to produce “synthetic cell-like compartments”.   This is bringing a new scope of technology for both biology and chemistry.  Actually Brian Paegel, assistant professor, stated that this new technology is easier for chemists because the organelles and the lipid membrane assemblies formed.  It is going to be hard for the chemist to synthesize these organelles and membranes in a rational way to prepare small molecules.  One of the reasons why it is going to be difficult for chemists to figure out how to synthesize these organelles and membranes is due to the lack of experience with these components.  This will probably all change with the technology and make it into a controlled process over for example cell sizes.  Originally, the membrane that surrounds all cells includes many parts like cells, organelles, and vesicles.  The membranes usually are made up of phospholipids bilayer that works as a barrier separating internal and external.    This new technology manufactures a bilayer in laboratory from small, cell-sized compartments.  It is a very simple process to create and is finally clear to chemists.  Sandra Matosevic explained the process and how it works “A micro fluidic circuit generates water droplets in lipid-containing oil. The lipid-coated droplets travel down one branch of a Y-shaped circuit and merge with a second water stream at the Y-junction. The combined flows of droplets in oil and water travel in parallel streams toward a triangular guidepost” (Matosevic).  From this, the triangular guide takes the lipid-coated droplets into a parallel water stream and the droplets cross the oil water interface and a second layer of lipids are created (Matosevic).  The final product includes a bi-layer and newly vesicles consist of size from 20-70 micrometers in diameter.  These membranes are producing more purposes of chemistry.  One of the essential questions being answered with this technology is why compartmentalized chemistry is a hallmark of life. 

I found this article very interesting because I like to see how biology and chemistry interact with each other.  This technology, like the picture below, is very different from what I have ever heard of before.  I think it is very cool that this technology can bring to chemists all around the world an easier method to see how compartmentalized chemistry is such an important part of life.

See:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110303184121.htm

Posted by Kelly Kupler