Cell-like Autonomy: An Autonomous Artificial Cell with Self-regulated Oscillation

The living cell is an active system that can display autonomy by implementation of dissipative out-of-equilibrium and self-regulated oscillatory behaviours.

Manifestation of these dynamic traits into artificial microcompartments (termed artificial cell or protocell) will advance the construction of “smart” artificial cells and the development of synthetic protobiology.

Even though numerous reports have illustrated the feasibility of fuel-depleted out-of-equilibrium reactions/behaviors in artificial cells, implementation of more advanced self-regulated artificial cells capable of sustained cell-like dynamics and homeostasis is still very challenging due to the lacks of apparatus and strategy.

The overall aim of this proposal is therefore to construct an autonomous artificial cell capable of self-regulated oscillation, which can be coupled to sustained out-of-equilibrium behaviors and environmental homeostasis by chemo-chemical/chemo-mechanical transition modes.

Implementation of this proposed work will advance development of synthetic protobiology by producing “smart” protocells with cell-like autonomy.

Coupling the self-regulated oscillations to other forms of out-of-equilibrium behaviors by chemo-chemical/chemo-mechanical transitions will further extend the significance of this work by offering a strategy to construct smart and adaptive materials (e.g., autonomous soft robotics) for engineering applications.