Molecular communication between artificial cells

Communication pathways between artificial cells can be used to build artificial consortia for a variety of purposes, including bioremediation and biomedical applications. Communication based on small molecules is desirable so that complex transport paths across membranes can be avoided. To explore the feasibility of setting up molecular communication between two different kinds of artificial cells, liposomes carrying an E. coli based transcription/translation machinery were incubated with proteinosomes. Like liposomes, proteinosomes are able to create compartments in aqueous solution. E. coli transcription/translation machinery allows for the regulation of a desired function at a genetic level, while proteinosomes allow for facile localization of a specific function (through enzymatic activity) on the membrane of the compartment. The communication pathway that we designed involves the release of a small molecule from the liposomes through the synthesis of a pore-forming protein regulated at a genetic level. The released chemical signal is sensed by enzymes on the surface of the proteinosome and then further processed by enzymes within the lumen of the proteinosome.