Photoswitchable Molecular Communication between Programmable DNA-Based Artificial Membraneless Organelles

Spatiotemporal organization of distinct biological processes in cytomimetic compartments is a crucial step towards engineering functional artificial cells. Mimicking controlled bi-directional molecular communication inside artificial cells remains a considerable challenge. Here we present photoswitchable molecular transport between programmable membraneless organelle-like DNA coacervates in a synthetic microcompartment. We use droplet microfluidics to fabricate membraneless non-fusing DNA coacervates by liquid-liquid phase separation in a water-in-oil droplet, and employ the interior DNA coacervates as artificial organelles to imitate intracellular communication via photo-regulated uni- and bi-directional transfer of biomolecules. Our results highlight a promising new route to assembly of multicompartment artificial cells with functional networks.

Automated summary

This study successfully achieved photoswitchable molecular transport between programmable membraneless DNA coacervates in synthetic microcompartments using droplet microfluidics, mimicking controlled bi-directional communication inside cells and providing a promising new route for assembling multicompartment artificial cells with functional networks.