Designing Synthetic Cells and Cellular Components (Designer Cells)

Designer Cells seeks projects that use the tools of synthetic biology to better understand how the systems and components of cells are built. This includes what is required for the components and systems to function properly, and to explore molecular and cellular diversity beyond what exists in nature.

The synthetic cell components or systems that may be generated and analyzed include ribosomes, mitochondria, membranes, regulatory modules, sensory systems, and molecular machines. These may be integrated into synthetic cells or cell-like systems, and they may be designed with novel molecular building blocks to study the design spaces evolution has not sampled or selected.

Projects that aim to identify systems or components that are required for cells to function properly, or those that are dispensable, by generating stripped-down or minimal versions of cells, are welcome.   

All projects submitted in this research area should include a consideration of the risks and benefits of the research and other relevant societal implications.