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Communication and quorum sensing in non-living mimics of eukaryotic cells

Author

Listed:
  • Henrike Niederholtmeyer

    (University of California, San Diego)

  • Cynthia Chaggan

    (University of California, San Diego)

  • Neal K. Devaraj

    (University of California, San Diego)

Abstract

Cells in tissues or biofilms communicate with one another through chemical and mechanical signals to coordinate collective behaviors. Non-living cell mimics provide simplified models of natural systems; however, it has remained challenging to implement communication capabilities comparable to living cells. Here we present a porous artificial cell-mimic containing a nucleus-like DNA-hydrogel compartment that is able to express and display proteins, and communicate with neighboring cell-mimics through diffusive protein signals. We show that communication between cell-mimics allows distribution of tasks, quorum sensing, and cellular differentiation according to local environment. Cell-mimics can be manufactured in large quantities, easily stored, chemically modified, and spatially organized into diffusively connected tissue-like arrangements, offering a means for studying communication in large ensembles of artificial cells.

Suggested Citation

  • Henrike Niederholtmeyer & Cynthia Chaggan & Neal K. Devaraj, 2018. "Communication and quorum sensing in non-living mimics of eukaryotic cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-07473-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07473-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Jin Li & William D. Jamieson & Pantelitsa Dimitriou & Wen Xu & Paul Rohde & Boris Martinac & Matthew Baker & Bruce W. Drinkwater & Oliver K. Castell & David A. Barrow, 2022. "Building programmable multicompartment artificial cells incorporating remotely activated protein channels using microfluidics and acoustic levitation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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