Synthetic cells grow their own organelles

A new study published in Nature Nanotechnology reveals a significant leap in synthetic biology, which could have far-reaching potential for the healthcare industry.

In the study titled 'Co-transcriptional production of programmable RNA condensates and synthetic organelles,' Dr. Lorenzo Di Michele's research team at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology has shown that synthetic cells can be programmed to create their own membrane-less organelles with controlled number, size, shape, and composition. This capability significantly enhances the functionality and application potential of synthetic cells, taking the field into the next stage of understanding.

Synthetic cells can now be designed to grow their own organelles, and could lead to transformative advancements in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. 

Synthetic cells, microrobots engineered from basic molecular components, mimic the form and function of biological cells without being alive. These tiny devices have the potential to revolutionize diagnostics and treatment by detecting diseases and producing therapeutic agents directly within the human body. They could also enhance chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical production, providing deeper insights into cellular functions.

Researchers are continuously improving synthetic cells to make them more robust, functional, and programmable, aiming to closely replicate living cells. In living organisms, eukaryotic cells rely on organelles to organise various biochemical processes. While some organelles are membrane-bound, others are membrane-less, forming liquid droplets of proteins and RNA within the cell. These membrane-less organelles play crucial roles in physiological processes and diseases.

The researchers designed synthetic RNA molecules that self-assemble into customized membrane-less organelles. These designs were encoded in DNA blueprints, enabling synthetic cells to locally produce the organelles.

Dr. Giacomo Fabrini, the study's first author, explained, "We have learned to control the characteristics of these organelles by modifying the individual RNA building blocks. For instance, we can alter RNA nanostructures to bind proteins, which are then captured in the membrane-less organelles, mimicking biological cells."

Lead author Dr. Di Michele highlighted the potential impact: "These synthetic organelles offer new strategies to program synthetic cells. Like natural organelles, they enable spatial separation of different biochemical processes, allowing synthetic cells to perform more advanced and complex functions. This advancement brings us closer to realizing the full potential of synthetic cells in biomedicine."

You can read the paper on Nature's website: Link