title: Multiphase water-in-oil emulsion droplets for cell-free transcription-translation.
abstract: The construction of genetically encoded cellular mimics in compartments containing organized synthetic cytosols is desirable for the development of artificial cells. Phase separated aqueous domains were placed within water-in-oil emulsion droplets in a manner compatible with transcription and translation machinery. Aqueous two-phase and three-phase systems (ATPS and A3PS) were assembled with dextran, poly(ethylene glycol), and Ficoll. Aqueous two-phase systems were capable of supporting the cell-free expression of protein within water droplets, whereas the aqueous three-phase-based system did not give rise to detectable protein synthesis. The expressed protein preferentially partitioned to the dextran-enriched phase. The system could serve as a foundation for building cellular mimics with liquid organelles.
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, University of Trento , via delle Regole, 101, 38123 Mattarello, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.forename: Christine D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Keating
authors.forename: Sheref S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mansy
mesh_terms: D002474:Cell-Free System / Q000737:chemistry; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry; D005362:Ficoll / Q000737:chemistry; D009821:Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D009821:Oils; D014867:Water; D005362:Ficoll; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols