학술논문

Physicochemical considerations for bottom-up synthetic biology
Document Type
Article
Source
Emerging Topics in Life Sciences; November 2019, Vol. 3 Issue: 5 p445-458, 14p
Subject
Language
ISSN
23978554; 23978562
Abstract
The bottom-up construction of synthetic cells from molecular components is arguably one of the most challenging areas of research in the life sciences. We review the impact of confining biological systems in synthetic vesicles. Complex cell-like systems require control of the internal pH, ionic strength, (macro)molecular crowding, redox state and metabolic energy conservation. These physicochemical parameters influence protein activity and need to be maintained within limits to ensure the system remains in steady-state. We present the physicochemical considerations for building synthetic cells with dimensions ranging from the smallest prokaryotes to eukaryotic cells.