title: Light-activated communication in synthetic tissues.
abstract: We have previously used three-dimensional (3D) printing to prepare tissue-like materials in which picoliter aqueous compartments are separated by lipid bilayers. These printed droplets are elaborated into synthetic cells by using a tightly regulated in vitro transcription/translation system. A light-activated DNA promoter has been developed that can be used to turn on the expression of any gene within the synthetic cells. We used light activation to express protein pores in 3D-printed patterns within synthetic tissues. The pores are incorporated into specific bilayer interfaces and thereby mediate rapid, directional electrical communication between subsets of cells. Accordingly, we have developed a functional mimic of neuronal transmission that can be controlled in a precise way.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK.
authors.forename: Vanessa Restrepo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3486-454X
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Schild
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK.
authors.forename: Alexander D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK.
authors.forename: Sam N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Olof
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK.
authors.forename: Hagan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bayley
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008027:Light; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008051:Lipid Bilayers