Viral Proteins Produced Within Artificial Cells

A collaborative study led by The Weizmann Institute of Science demonstrated that the production of viral parts within artificial cells is possible. The creation of these 2D silicon structures enables scientists to safely study highly pathogenic viruses. 

Their creation is born out of a micrometer-sized compartment that is carved into a silicon chip. To start, they densely packed DNA strands at the bottom of each compartment and placed receptors in the edges of the artificial cells that could potentially rupture the proteins produced. Then, the team provided the cells with everything they needed to catalyze the production of proteins. Their data—published in Nature Nanotechnology—showed that the receptor carpet was able to capture one of the proteins produced and allow for the rest of the viral proteins to bind to one another. 

"We discovered that we can control the assembly process—both the efficiency and the final products—through the design of the artificial cells,” said Roy Bar-Ziv, lead researcher. “This included the cells' geometric structure, and the placement and organization of the genes. These all determine which proteins will be produced and, down the line, what will be made from these proteins once they are assembled," they added. 

This ability to produce different small parts of a single virus at once provides a new tool for the development of drugs, vaccines, and evaluating tests against any particular virus. The team shares that future research might include “The development of a chip that could rapidly and efficiently conduct thousands of medical tests all at once," said co-author Shulman Daube.