Building a model of an autonomous self-replicating cell on a chip
Abstract
We propose to build, for the first time, a cell-model capable of self-replicating the cellular gene-expression machinery. The scenar,io is that of 120-150 genes coding for the transcription-translation system of E. coli immobilized and expressed on the surface of a, miniaturized compartment fabricated on a chip, creating plausible nonequilibrium conditions for colocalization and machine self-rep,lication. The grand challenge is to attempt cell-free autonomous ribosome biogenesis ? old ribosomes making new ribosomes. The hurdl,es are enormous, both conceptual and technical: (1) working with a large of number of genes in a minimal and limited-capacity expres,sion system, (2) finding if and how newly made proteins and RNA can assemble into functional machines capable of engaging in an auto,-catalytic loop of self-expression. To mitigate the high risk, we set achievable goals of studying autonomous synthesis of transcrip,tion machines, translation factors, and assembly of the large ribosomal subunit, followed by formation of new functional ribosomes.,Success would likely imply groundbreaking scientific and technological implications.Approved for public release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 13, 2022
- Source ID
- N629092212042
Entities
People
- Roy H Bar-Ziv
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Weizmann Institute of Science