(642c) Enhancing Cellular Mimicry and Sensing in Artificial Cell Design through Engineering Protein Vesicle Assemblies

In this study, we introduce a novel approach in synthetic biology for the creation of artificial cells using multicompartment globular protein vesicles (GPVs)—self-assembled protein vesicles that integrate sensory and enzymatic functionalities within multi-compartmentalized structures. By utilizing modular recombinant fusion proteins that self-assemble into hierarchical vesicle structures, our research advances the mimicry of cellular compartmentalization and biochemical processing while also enhancing the ability to sense and respond to specific signaling molecules. We employ a thin-film rehydration method to construct multicompartment giant GPVs, which improve cargo capacity, facilitate the exploration of membrane dynamics, and replicate the functional and structural complexity of natural cells one-step closer. Our method not only simplifies the production of synthetic cells to advance synthetic biology tools but also expands their potential applications in healthcare and biotechnology, such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and therapeutics, by offering a scalable and versatile platform for the development of biomimetic systems.