Synthetic tissue from 3D-printed protocells and coacervates

Researchers have constructed protocells (which are small compartments with life-like properties) in a bottom-up approach to understand life. However, many features of living systems can only be realized by collections of cells, like tissues. This project will control the assembly of individual protocells (coacervates and liposomes) into oil-free tissue-like materials through 3D-printing technologies and examine the interactions between coacervates and synthetic tissue membranes, including coacervates as sub-compartments interacting

with droplet interface bilayers and coacervates as the junctions between liposomes to enable information exchange

and membrane modulation. This project will provide a basis for understanding multicellular clusters and creating patterned smart materials for building soft devices. Such devices might be used for drug delivery and the fabrication of tissue mimics for organ repair.