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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/182132
Engineering transient dynamics of artificial cells by stochastic distribution of enzymes
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Random fluctuations are inherent to all complex molecular systems. Although nature has evolved mechanisms to control stochastic events to achieve the desired biological output, reproducing this in synthetic systems represents a significant challenge. Here we present an artificial platform that enables us to exploit stochasticity to direct motile behavior. We found that enzymes, when confined to the fluidic polymer membrane of a core-shell coacervate, were distributed stochastically in time and space. This resulted in a transient, asymmetric configuration of propulsive units, which imparted motility to such coacervates in presence of substrate. This mechanism was confirmed by stochastic modelling and simulations in silico. Furthermore, we showed that a deeper understanding of the mechanism of stochasticity could be utilized to modulate the motion output. Conceptually, this work represents a leap in design philosophy in the construction of synthetic systems with life-like behaviors.
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SONG, Shidong, et al. Engineering transient dynamics of artificial cells by stochastic distribution of enzymes. Nature Communications. 2021. Vol. 12. ISSN 2041-1723. [consulted: 17 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/182132