Cell-free systems in the new age of synthetic biology

Abstract

The advent of synthetic biology has ushered in new applications of cell-free transcription-translation systems. These cell-free systems are reconstituted using cellular proteins, and are amenable to modular control of their composition. Here, we discuss the historical advancement of cell-free systems, as well as their new applications in the rapid design of synthetic genetic circuits and components, directed evolution of biomolecules, diagnosis of infectious diseases, and synthesis of vaccines. Finally, we present our vision on the future direction of cell-free synthetic biology.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

cell-free system / application

References

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the Branco-Weiss Fellowship (CT) and the Human Frontier Science Program (CT).

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2017 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg