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Integrating artificial with natural cells to translate chemical messages that direct E. coli behaviour

Author

Listed:
  • Roberta Lentini

    (CIBIO, University of Trento)

  • Silvia Perez Santero

    (CIBIO, University of Trento
    University of Verona)

  • Fabio Chizzolini

    (CIBIO, University of Trento)

  • Dario Cecchi

    (CIBIO, University of Trento)

  • Jason Fontana

    (CIBIO, University of Trento)

  • Marta Marchioretto

    (National Research Council—Institute of Biophysics & Bruno Kessler Foundation)

  • Cristina Del Bianco

    (CIBIO, University of Trento)

  • Jessica L. Terrell

    (University of Maryland
    Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland)

  • Amy C. Spencer

    (CIBIO, University of Trento)

  • Laura Martini

    (CIBIO, University of Trento)

  • Michele Forlin

    (CIBIO, University of Trento)

  • Michael Assfalg

    (University of Verona)

  • Mauro Dalla Serra

    (National Research Council—Institute of Biophysics & Bruno Kessler Foundation)

  • William E. Bentley

    (University of Maryland
    Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland)

  • Sheref S. Mansy

    (CIBIO, University of Trento)

Abstract

Previous efforts to control cellular behaviour have largely relied upon various forms of genetic engineering. Once the genetic content of a living cell is modified, the behaviour of that cell typically changes as well. However, other methods of cellular control are possible. All cells sense and respond to their environment. Therefore, artificial, non-living cellular mimics could be engineered to activate or repress already existing natural sensory pathways of living cells through chemical communication. Here we describe the construction of such a system. The artificial cells expand the senses of Escherichia coli by translating a chemical message that E. coli cannot sense on its own to a molecule that activates a natural cellular response. This methodology could open new opportunities in engineering cellular behaviour without exploiting genetically modified organisms.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberta Lentini & Silvia Perez Santero & Fabio Chizzolini & Dario Cecchi & Jason Fontana & Marta Marchioretto & Cristina Del Bianco & Jessica L. Terrell & Amy C. Spencer & Laura Martini & Michele Forl, 2014. "Integrating artificial with natural cells to translate chemical messages that direct E. coli behaviour," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-6, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms5012
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5012
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    Cited by:

    1. Hua Wu & Xuanlin Du & Xiaohui Meng & Dong Qiu & Yan Qiao, 2021. "A three-tiered colloidosomal microreactor for continuous flow catalysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Omer Adir & Mia R. Albalak & Ravit Abel & Lucien E. Weiss & Gal Chen & Amit Gruber & Oskar Staufer & Yaniv Kurman & Ido Kaminer & Jeny Shklover & Janna Shainsky-Roitman & Ilia Platzman & Lior Gepstein, 2022. "Synthetic cells with self-activating optogenetic proteins communicate with natural cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.

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