title: Integrating artificial with natural cells to translate chemical messages that direct E. coli behaviour.
abstract: Previous efforts to control cellular behaviour have largely relied upon various forms of genetic engineering. Once the genetic content of a living cell is modified, the behaviour of that cell typically changes as well. However, other methods of cellular control are possible. All cells sense and respond to their environment. Therefore, artificial, non-living cellular mimics could be engineered to activate or repress already existing natural sensory pathways of living cells through chemical communication. Here we describe the construction of such a system. The artificial cells expand the senses of Escherichia coli by translating a chemical message that E. coli cannot sense on its own to a molecule that activates a natural cellular response. This methodology could open new opportunities in engineering cellular behaviour without exploiting genetically modified organisms.
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38123 Mattarello (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lentini
authors.affiliation: 1] CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38123 Mattarello (TN), Italy [2] Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia Perez
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Santero
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38123 Mattarello (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chizzolini
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38123 Mattarello (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cecchi
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38123 Mattarello (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.affiliation: National Research Council-Institute of Biophysics & Bruno Kessler Foundation, Via alla Cascata 56/C, 38123 Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marchioretto
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38123 Mattarello (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Bianco
authors.affiliation: 1] Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA [2] Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Terrell
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38123 Mattarello (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38123 Mattarello (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38123 Mattarello (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forlin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Assfalg
authors.affiliation: National Research Council-Institute of Biophysics & Bruno Kessler Foundation, Via alla Cascata 56/C, 38123 Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dalla Serra
authors.affiliation: 1] Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA [2] Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38123 Mattarello (TN), Italy.
authors.forename: Sheref S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mansy
mesh_terms: D058045:Artificial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D060846:Cell Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D022162:Cytoplasmic Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007544:Isopropyl Thiogalactoside / Q000378:metabolism; D058915:Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D058928:Riboswitch / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D058915:Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; D058928:Riboswitch; D007544:Isopropyl Thiogalactoside; D013806:Theophylline