2023 - Cell-Free Riboswitches: Engineering and Applications

Cell-free systems aim to capture some properties and functions of living cells without using living cells. By building cell-free systems such as artificial cells and cell-free metabolic pathways, one can try to understand how cells work and/or exploit unique functions of cells without complexities associated with using living cells. In this webinar, we describe cell-free “riboswitches” as molecular devices that enable cell-free systems to sense chemical signals and respond by regulating protein production.
In this webinar, the featured speaker will discuss the semi-rational design of histamine-responsive riboswitches in a cell-free translation system and in liposome-based artificial cells. Furthermore, a high-throughput approach to cell-free riboswitch development aided by microfluidic droplet sorting that drastically streamlines the design process will be discussed. Lastly, the featured speaker will discuss how cell-free riboswitches were used to demonstrate “intercellular” communication among droplet-based artificial cells.
Join this webinar to learn about cell-free riboswitches, their development using microfluid droplet sorting and their role in intercellular communication.