# Gene-Expressing Liposomes as Synthetic Cells for Molecular Communication Studies

Review · Giordano Rampioni, Francesca D’Angelo, Livia Leoni, Pasquale Stano

- Archive id: doi:10.3389/fbioe.2019.00001
- Published: 2019-01-17
- Venue: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00001
- PMID: 30705882
- Citations: 446
- Source URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00001
- PDF: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00001/pdf
- Provenance: openalex

## Abstract

The bottom-up branch of synthetic biology includes – among others – innovative studies that combine cell-free protein synthesis with liposome technology to generate cell-like systems of minimal complexity, often referred to as synthetic cells. The functions of this type of synthetic cell derive from gene expression, hence they can be programmed in a modular, progressive and customizable manner by means of ad hoc designed genetic circuits. This experimental scenario is rapidly expanding and synthetic cell research already counts numerous successes. Here we present a review focused on the exchange of chemical signals between liposome-based synthetic cells (operating by gene expression) and biological cells, as well as between two populations of synthetic cells. The review includes a short presentation of the “molecular communication technologies”, briefly discussing their promises and challenges.

_Abstract reproduced under CC-BY (publisher license, via OpenAlex)._

Topics: [Synthetic Biology & Genome Engineering](https://space-kitty.com/topics/synthetic-biology)

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