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Self-growing protocell models in aqueous two-phase system induced by internal DNA replication reaction

Author

Listed:
  • Yoshihiro Minagawa

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Moe Yabuta

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Masayuki Su’etsugu

    (Rikkyo University)

  • Hiroyuki Noji

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

Abstract

The bottom-up reconstitution of self-growing artificial cells is a critical milestone toward realizing autonomy and evolvability. However, building artificial cells that exhibit self-growth coupled with internal replication of gene-encoding DNA has not been achieved yet. Here, we report self-growing artificial cell models based on dextran-rich droplets in an aqueous two-phase system of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and dextran (DEX). Motivated by the finding that DNA induces the generation of DEX-rich droplets, we integrate DNA amplification system with DEX-rich droplets, which exhibited active self-growth. We implement the protocells with cell-free transcription-translation systems coupled with DNA amplification/replication, which also show active self-growth. Considering the simplicities in terms of the chemical composition and the mechanism, these results underscore the potential of DEX droplets as a foundational platform for engineering protocells, giving implications for the emergence of protocells under prebiotic conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yoshihiro Minagawa & Moe Yabuta & Masayuki Su’etsugu & Hiroyuki Noji, 2025. "Self-growing protocell models in aqueous two-phase system induced by internal DNA replication reaction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56172-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56172-7
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