Immobilization of Proteins of Cell Extract to Hydrogel Networks Enhances the Longevity of Cell-Free Protein Synthesis and Supports Gene Networks.

Herein, we constructed a new type of hydrogel based artificial cells supporting long-lived protein synthesis, post-translational modification, and gene networks. We constructed the artificial cells by immobilizing the transcription and translation system from cytoplasmic extract onto the polyacrylamide hydrogel. With the continuous supply of energy and nutrition, the artificial cells were capable of stable protein expression for at least 30 days.

Artificial Cells Capable of Long-Lived Protein Synthesis by Using Aptamer Grafted Polymer Hydrogel.

Herein we report a new type of artificial cells capable of long-term protein expression and regulation. We constructed the artificial cells by grafting anti-His-tag aptamer into the polymer backbone of the hydrogel particles, and then immobilizing the His-tagged proteinaceous factors of the transcription and translation system into the hydrogel particles. Long-term protein expression for at least 16 days was achieved by continuously flowing feeding buffer through the artificial cells.

Branch migration based selective PCR for DNA mutation enrichment and detection.

We presented a branch migration based PCR in which a branch migration blocker was introduced to selectively reduce the amplification efficiency of the wild-type target and enrich the mutant-type target. The low-abundance mutations could be enriched and then detected by high resolution melting, Sanger sequencing or fluorescent DNA probe.