Credit: UNC-Chapel HillResearchers use innovative methods to produce functional cells, closing the divide between biological and synthetic materials.In a brand-new study published in Nature Chemistry, UNC-Chapel Hill researcher Ronit Freeman and her coworkers describe the actions they took to control DNA and proteins– vital structure blocks of life– to produce cells that look and act like cells from the body. The cytoskeleton enables cells to be versatile, both in shape and in response to their environment.Without using natural proteins, the Freeman Lab developed cells with functional cytoskeletons that can change shape and respond to their environments.” The artificial cells were stable even at 122 degrees Fahrenheit, opening up the possibility of production cells with remarkable abilities in environments usually inappropriate to human life,” Freeman says.Instead of producing products that are made to last, Freeman states their products are made to task– perform a particular function and then customize themselves to serve a new function.
Credit: UNC-Chapel HillResearchers employ advanced methods to create functional cells, closing the divide in between artificial and biological materials.In a new research study published in Nature Chemistry, UNC-Chapel Hill scientist Ronit Freeman and her coworkers explain the steps they took to manipulate DNA and proteins– necessary structure blocks of life– to create cells that look and act like cells from the body. The cytoskeleton allows cells to be versatile, both in shape and in reaction to their environment.Without using natural proteins, the Freeman Lab developed cells with functional cytoskeletons that can change shape and respond to their surroundings.” The artificial cells were steady even at 122 degrees Fahrenheit, opening up the possibility of production cells with amazing abilities in environments usually inappropriate to human life,” Freeman says.Instead of developing products that are made to last, Freeman states their materials are made to task– perform a specific function and then modify themselves to serve a new function.