Protocells and synthetic cells

Life as we know it is cellular life. Each cell has a cell membrane that not only protects the contents of the cell, but also controls the flux of nutrients, how the cell grows and divides, and in some cases, generates motility.

The study of model primitive cells, also known as protocells, is considered one of the scientific steppingstones towards understanding the origin of life. But unravelling the mystery of how this most elementary unit of life first formed is no easy task. Although the membrane itself owes its structure to phospholipids, most of the functions are carried out by proteins. This then begs the question: how did primitive cells perform their necessary functions prior to the evolution of these proteins?

We use physicochemical tools to manipulate models of primitive cells and probe their properties. The questions we’re trying to answer include: when is a membrane too leaky? When is it not permeable enough to nutrients? When does it get too stiff to divide? How can we build a protocell life cycle, for protocells to sustainably grow and divide?

There’s still lots to find out -- join us on our journey to make a ‘forever-growing’ protocell!