Successfully build the first plastic cell

Researchers at Radboud University's Department of Molecular Materials have successfully built the first plastic artificial cell based on the structure of a drop of water. This is the first artificial cell that can perform independent chemical reactions in each organ like a cell in nature. The research has been published on the front page of Nature Chemistry magazine.

In the past, scientists have sought to build cells that multiply and develop synthetic DNA capable of replicating and duplicating complete cell walls. Currently, for the first time, researchers have successfully used polymers to produce fully artificial artificial human cells and perform functions like a real cell.

The eukaryotic cells are the main material to create complex structures on living organisms. Inside the eukaryotic cell contains many organelles that perform various functions through chemical reactions in a very small space. Organelles separated from each other to be able to perform chemical reactions independently are a miracle of nature. Why cells can perform very small-scale reactions, which is extremely difficult to perform in the laboratory has always been a top concern of chemists.

All of these questions have been answered by scientists at Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands, through the successful creation of the first plastic artificial cells that can perform chemical reactions. in very small rules. Professor Jan van Hest, who successfully created artificial organizers, said: "Our team is continuing to work on making cells more compatible with living organisms. In the future "You can use fatty acids to make artificial cells. The next step will be to create artificial cells that have metabolic capacity to create energy."

The researchers used a water droplet model to shape the structure of the cell with plastic. To create organelles, they created microscopic spheres from PS plastic containing enzymes inside to perform chemical reaction cycles. Finally, a layer of polybutadiene that is thought to be centrifuged will encapsulate the outside of the cell as a cell wall.

This is the first artificial artificial cell inside to be divided into cell-like cavities in nature. The division of cells into cavities helps enzymes perform independent chemical reactions like in nature. Professor Van Hest shared: "We are looking for ways to control the activity of chemicals in each organ in the cell. In this way, we will better understand how natural living cells work. From there, we will simulate and create more natural-like cells. "