Catalysis and Signalling in Synthetic and Living Cells

We are developing methods to control transition metal catalysts inside synthetic and living cells, in order to mediate synthetically useful in-cell chemical transformations. We have demonstrated that synthetic ionophores may be repurposed to facilitate the transport of catalytic ions, reporting the first example of a transport system for Pd(II) cations, which, when delivered across a membrane, trigger a catalytic transformation inside vesicles. We have also developed photo-responsive analogues, enabling light activated catalysis in synthetic cells (JACS, 2023).

In addition, we have used a similar approach to demonstrate the first example of an artificial inter-vesicle signalling network, in which photo-responsive ionophores mediate signal transduction and amplification between populations of lipid bilayer vesicles (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2023). These approaches - using relatively simple synthetic components – have the potential to open up new avenues for engineering complex signalling networks and controlling catalytic reactions, such as for biomolecular decaging or in-cell synthesis within both synthetic and living cells.