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Recent research news on Artificial Biology

Distinct Network Morphologies from In Situ Polymerization of Microtubules in Giant Polymer-Lipid Hybrid Vesicles

Creating artificial cells with a dynamic cytoskeleton, akin to those in living cells, is a major goal in bottom-up synthetic biology. In this study, we demonstrate the in situ polymerization of microtubules encapsulated in giant polymer-lipid hybrid vesicles (GHVs) composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and an amphiphilic block copolymer. The block copolymer is comprised of poly(cholesteryl methacrylate-co-butyl methacrylate) as the hydrophobic block and either poly(6-O-methacryloyl-D-galactopyranose) or poly(carboxyethyl acrylate) as the hydrophilic extension. Depending on the concentrations of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) or its slowly hydrolyzable analog, guanosine-5′-[(α,β)-methyleno]triphosphate (GMPCPP), different microtubule morphologies are observed, including encapsulated microtubule networks, spike protrusions, as well as membrane-associated or aggregated microtubules. Overall, this work represents a step forward in mimicking the cellular cytoskeletons and uncovering the influence of membrane composition on microtubule morphologies.

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Otzen, D. E., Morshedi, D., Mohammad-Beigi, H. & Aliakbari, F. (2021). A Triple Role for a Bilayer: Using Nanoliposomes to Cross and Protect Cellular Membranes. Journal of Membrane Biology, 254(1), 29-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-020-00159-6

Wang, Z., Cui, Y., Feng, Y., Guan, L., Dong, M., Liu, Z. & Liu, L. (2021). A versatile Silk Fibroin based filtration membrane with enhanced mechanical property, disinfection and biodegradability. Chemical Engineering Journal, 426, Article 131947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.131947

Mandrup, O. A. & Howard, K. (2021). Bioengineered solutions to improve cancer immunotherapies. Therapeutic Delivery, 12(5), 339-341 . https://doi.org/10.4155/tde-2021-0019

Howard, K. (2021). Biomolecular Assemblies as Multifunctional Drug Designs. In Handbook of Harnessing Biomaterials in Nanomedicine: Preparation, Toxicity, and Applications (2 ed., pp. 363-380). Jenny Stanford Publishing.

Noji, M., Samejima, T., Yamaguchi, K., So, M., Yuzu, K., Chatani, E., Akazawa-Ogawa, Y., Hagihara, Y., Kawata, Y., Ikenaka, K., Mochizuki, H., Kardos, J., Otzen, D. E., Bellotti, V., Buchner, J. & Goto, Y. (2021). Breakdown of supersaturation barrier links protein folding to amyloid formation. Communications Biology, 4(1), Article 120. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01641-6

Poulsen, R. E., Scholz, L. A., Constantin, L., Favre-Bulle, I., Vanwalleghem, G. C. & Scott, E. K. (2021). Broad frequency sensitivity and complex neural coding in the larval zebrafish auditory system. Current Biology, 31(9), 1977-1987.e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.01.103

Zelikin, A. N. & Stellacci, F. (2021). Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents Based on Multivalent Inhibitors of Viral Infectivity. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10(6), Article 2001433. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202001433

Vanwalleghem, G., Constantin, L. & Scott, E. K. (2021). Calcium Imaging and the Curse of Negativity. Frontiers in Neural Circuits, 14, Article 607391. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncir.2020.607391

Nielsen, K. H. & Nielsen, H. (2021). Camp Century: The Untold Story of America's Secret Arctic Military Base Under the Greenland Ice. Colombia University Press.

Nielsen, K. H. & Nielsen, H. (2021, Jun 17). Camp Century in a Changing Arctic. Columbia University Press. https://www.cupblog.org/2021/06/17/camp-century-in-a-changing-arctic-by-kristian-h-nielsen-and-henry-nielsen/

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