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Content archived on 2024-05-29

Approaches to the bio-engineering of synthetic minimal cells

Objective

The main objective of the research is the construction of vesicle-based biochemical reactors as "minimal cells", defined as the cell constructs containing the minimal and sufficient number of components to be defined as alive, i.e. the concomitance of self-maintenance(metabolism), self-reproduction, and evolvability. Liposomes have been studied as the most likely precursors of biological cells, recent studies describe complex biochemical reactions inside liposomes, up to the expression of proteins (mostly green fluorescence protein). However many problems remain unsolved in the field of the minimal cell, and the most challenging objective of all, the construction of minimal cells capable of self reproduction, remain elusive. In this project, two types of cellular models are foreseen: (1) one in which the macromolecular components for information and catalysis are natural (i.e. non-synthetic) genes and enzymes. This is the "semi-synthetic minimal cell", containing the minimal and sufficient number of genes/ enzymes to be defined as alive; (2) the approach in which the macromolecular components for catalysis and information are synthetic (PNAs, redox centres), and this is the ?synthetic approach to the minimal cell?. This is a far-away target, and in the present proposal only three single modules are proposed, which correspond to three basic functions of the biological cell. The following benefits and advantages for the scientific community can be envisaged: 1-show that cellular life can be understood and realized in chemical terms, which would show that life is an emergent property may arising from non-living components; 2-set up a procedure for the bio-engineering of minimal cellular constructs, and the realization with synthetic components; 3-consider the possible biotechnological relevance of such cellular constructs, e.g. in molecular biology, in microcompartment bioreactors, in drug delivery.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

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FP6-2005-NEST-PATH
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project

Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI ROMA TRE - DIPARTIMENTO DI BIOLOGIA
EU contribution
No data
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Participants (3)

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