Cell-Free Gene Expression: Methods and Applications
Year: 2024
Type: review
Abstract: Cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems empower synthetic biologists to build biological molecules and processes outside of living intact cells. The foundational principle is that precise, complex biomolecular transformations can be conducted in purified enzyme or crude cell lysate systems. This concept circumvents mechanisms that have evolved to facilitate species survival, bypasses limitations on molecular transport across the cell wall, and provides a significant departure from traditional, cell-based processes that rely on microscopic cellular "reactors." In addition, cell-free systems are inherently distributable through freeze-drying, which allows simple distribution before rehydration at the point-of-use. Furthermore, as cell-free systems are nonliving, they provide built-in safeguards for biocontainment without the constraints attendant on genetically modified organisms. These features have led to a significant increase in the development and use of CFE systems over the past two decades. Here, we discuss recent advances in CFE systems and highlight how they are transforming efforts to build cells, control genetic networks, and manufacture biobased products.
Source: Chemical Reviews
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Northwestern University, National Institutes of Health, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Army Research Office, Army Research Laboratory, Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground
Awards: G101629971, G11630931, G117141301, Collaborative Research: Cell-free glycoprotein synthesis technology for point-of-care vaccine biomanufacturing, G1596173563, G2294708377, G3161376373, G3241614447, G336692854, Northwestern University - to empower farmers to monitor their own crops, enable regional quality control of distributed plant material, and create large-scale crop pathogen ..., G362586287, G3902745504, G4176796873, G4550525501, G4771968897, G4903105778, G5228840326, G5259331294, G5536892680, Innovative technologies to transform antibiotic discovery., G5767419451, G602718224, G6338696783, G6526374922, G6541015203, INTEGRATING CELL-FREE SYSTEMS AND GENOME ENGINEERING TO ACCELERATE BIOSYSTEMS DESIGN FOR CARBON-NEGATIVE BIOMANUFACTURING, G7452299184, G7512072517, G7569735050, G8055524459
OpenAlex ID: W4405602716