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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 20: Posters - Physics of the Genesis of Life (Focus Session)

BP 20.4: Poster

Dienstag, 21. März 2017, 14:00–16:00, P1A

Spatial organization of encapsulated circuits — •Aurore Dupin, Berta Tinao, and Friedrich C. Simmel — Systems Biophysics and Bionanotechnology - E14, Physics Department and ZNN, Technische Universität München, am Coulombwall 4a, 85748 Garching, Germany

Compartmentalization is at the origin of cellular life as we know it today, although the selective advantage of porous or tight membranes for early cells is debated. The compartmentalization of metabolic circuits can reduce cross-talk by isolating parts of the circuits, and increase the efficiency of the metabolic processes by co-localizing reagents. The effect of compartmentalization on synthetic gene circuits has been studied in isolated water-in-emulsion droplets, where communication was mediated by non-specific diffusion. In contrast, our goal is to build large biomimetic networks exhibiting controlled communication and topology. Such a spatial organization should allow for more complex circuit dynamic behaviors.

To this end, we employ the droplet-interface-bilayer technique to construct spatially organized networks of defined composition. In these networks, protein pores exhibiting chemical selectivity incorporate in lipid bilayer interfaces to mediate the communication between droplets, similarly to natural cell membranes. We implement a variety of RNA-based circuits where the pore-mediated translocation of chemicals is used to induce dynamical behavior. In the future, we envision the implementation of more complex circuits within such networks, including in vitro protein expression systems.