Deep within our eyes, photoreceptors in the retina orchestrate a complex symphony of chemical signals to allow us to see. This mechanism has inspired a group of researchers at theUniversity of Basel and University of Groningen to create something extraordinary: synthetic cells that can communicate with each other just like natural cells do. It's a discovery that could change the way we think about regenerative medicine.
The Triumph of Artificial Communication
A team led by Professor Cornelia Palivan and from the Nobel Prize Well Feringa has created a system of protocells that replicates the functioning of the retinal photoreceptors. As reported in the magazine Advanced materials, these tiny polymeric containers have been equipped with specific nanocomponents and biomolecules.
The system consists of two types of synthetic cells: light-sensitive “emitters” and “receivers.” This architecture is a milestone in the field of synthetic biology: these cells respond to environmental stimuli just as their natural counterparts would.
How Synthetic Cells Work
Inside the emitting cells there are nanocontainers (essentially organelles (artificial) equipped with membranes with special photosensitive molecules called “molecular motors”. A single light pulse is sufficient to trigger communication.
When light hits the emitting cell, these molecular motors open the nanocontainers, releasing their contents. The released substance then crosses the membrane of the emitting cell and reaches the receiving cell.
In the recipient cell, an enzyme converts this substance into a fluorescent signal, confirming that communication between the two cells has taken place.
The role of calcium in modulation
Calcium ions play a key role in this system, just as they do in the natural photoreceptors of the retina. In our eyes, these ions help to attenuate the transmission of stimuli, allowing us to adapt to bright light.
The researchers replicated this feature by designing artificial organelles in recipient cells to respond to calcium ions, modulating the intensity of the fluorescent signal. This ability to control time and space is a first in the field.
Synthetic cells, future prospects
The research opens the way to exciting developments. The possibility of creating communication networks between synthetic and natural cells could revolutionize the treatment of various pathologies. Applications could range from regenerative medicine to the creation of hybrid tissues, combining natural and synthetic elements. Professor Palivan stresses that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
The next step will be to develop even more complex communication systems, getting ever closer to the complexity of natural biological systems. The road is long (nature is close to perfection), but treasures can be found along the way.
