Work

RNA-Based Communication in Heterogeneous Populations of Cell Mimics

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: RNA regulators offer a promising path for building complex, orthogonal circuits due to their low resource demands and design flexibility. In this study, we explore their potential as signaling molecules in communication between synthetic cells. Specifically, we engineer populations of heterogenetic porous polymer cell mimics to produce, emit, and receive two types of small synthetic RNA regulators. These RNAs are required to activate reporter expression at both the levels of transcription and translation. We distribute this AND gate circuit in receiver and two types of sender cell mimics to compare the distributed logic computation to the behavior of the circuit in well-mixed, bulk cell-free expression reactions. Analyzing different densities and spatial arrangements of senders and receivers, we reveal spatiotemporal gradients in RNA signals and identify configurations that increase specific activation. With small regulatory RNAs, the engineering toolbox for communication between synthetic cells expands to include a programmable class of signaling molecules. The rapid turnover of RNA suggests applications in establishing dynamic signaling gradients in communities of synthetic cells.

Source: ACS Synthetic Biology

DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.5c00657

Authors: François-Xavier Lehr, Imre Banlaki, Eric Bumüller, Thibault Mercier, Henrike Niederholtmeyer

Institutions: Philipps University of Marburg, Loewe Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Technical University of Munich

Language: English

Topic: Gene Regulatory Network Analysis

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft