Advancing Artificial Cells with Polymer-Based Cytoskeletons

Artificial cells have long been a focal point in understanding biological processes, but their ability to mimic real cells’ mechanical responses to forces has remained limited. Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute, have now designed a polymer-based cytoskeleton that bridges this gap. This innovation, recently published in Nature Chemistry, marks a significant step forward for both plastics engineering and biomedical research.

Just as a human skeleton provides structure and resilience, a cytoskeleton supports individual cells, aiding in division and mechanical response. While natural cytoskeletons are composed of proteins like tubulin and actin, the TU/e team developed an artificial alternative using polydiacetylene (PDA). This polymer closely mirrors the properties of a natural cytoskeleton, forming fibrous structures that are comparable in size and capable of deforming under force.

Testing Mechanical Properties with Precision

To validate the performance of their artificial cytoskeleton, the researchers employed real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC), a cutting-edge technique from collaborators in Germany. This method revealed that cells with a PDA-based cytoskeleton exhibited increased stiffness and compressive strength, comparable to living mammalian cells. These results confirm the ability of the artificial cytoskeleton to replicate key mechanical properties of natural cells.

Unlike expensive materials requiring complex fabrication, the PDA polymer is cost-effective and compatible with standard processing techniques. This innovation not only makes advanced artificial cells accessible but also paves the way for applications in soft robotics, drug delivery, and tissue regeneration.

By incorporating a cytoskeleton, artificial cells can now respond to both chemical and mechanical signals, enabling more accurate interaction studies with living cells. This breakthrough holds potential for modulating immune responses and advancing our understanding of cell mechanics in biomedical applications.

A Poignant Milestone

This project also honors the memory of Henk Janssen, a pivotal contributor and co-corresponding author who passed away during the study. His expertise in synthetic organic chemistry and mentorship greatly influenced this transformative research.

Artificial cells equipped with cytoskeletons represent a new frontier, enabling researchers to explore cellular processes with unparalleled accuracy. This achievement underscores the synergy between plastics engineering and biotechnology, heralding innovations that could reshape healthcare and material sciences.

Read the full paper in Nature Chemistry.