Biology subjects

Al Samad, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Al Samad, A..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Magnetic Activation of Spherical Nucleic Acids for the Remote Control of Synthetic Cells

The advancement of synthetic cells as drug delivery devices hinges on the development of targeting strategies, in particular the controlled synthesis of biomolecules in-situ using a deeply penetrative stimulus. To address this, we have designed spherical nucleic acids comprising DNA promoter sequences decorating magnetic nanoparticle cores. By harnessing the heat dissipated from magnetic hyperthermia (a clinically-approved anticancer therapy) we tightly controlled cell-free protein synthesis. We then deployed a tissue phantom that is impenetrable by current activation methods to demonstrate the potential of this technology for the remote control of synthetic cells using deeply tissue-penetrating magnetic fields. This paves the way for targeting and controlling the in-situ synthesis of biomolecules deep within the body. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=181 SRC="FIGDIR/small/608917v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (46K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3cf352org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18a8da3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@159018aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@744529_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

synthetic biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Reaction-diffusion patterning of DNA-based artificial cells

Biological cells display complex internal architectures, with distinct micro environments that establish the chemical heterogeneity needed to sustain cellular functions. The continued efforts to create advanced cell mimics - artificial cells - demands strategies to construct similarly heterogeneous structures with localized functionalities. Here, we introduce a platform for constructing membrane-less artificial cells from the self-assembly of synthetic DNA nanostructures, in which internal domains can be established thanks to prescribed reaction-diffusion waves. The method, rationalized through numerical modeling, enables the formation of up to five distinct, concentric environments, in which functional moieties can be localized. As a proof-of-concept, we apply this platform to build DNA-based artificial cells in which a prototypical nucleus synthesizes fluorescent RNA aptamers, which then accumulate in a surrounding storage shell, thus demonstrating spatial segregation of functionalities reminiscent of that observed in biological cells.

synthetic biology↗