Dynamic protein biosynthesis via an integrated cell-on-a-chip platform device

Producing a target protein in living microorganisms using biotechnological approaches can be laborious, and limitations associated with 'living' biochemical factories are proving to be bottlenecks in many bio-manufacturing processes. In this project we aim to develop the underlying technologies to remedy this, by developing a microfluidic analogue of a living cell: a cell-on-chip. Our proposition is that cell-free lab-on-a-chip devices have the potential to act as robust microreactors where synthetic microcompartments can be designed and tuned to work in an integrated manner, in order to perform specific biological outputs including gene expression, protein synthesis, post-translational modifications and energy generation. These features are all integrated biological outputs that can eventually enable cell-cell signalling leading to cell differentiation and higher-order biological entities.

In this project, we aim to utilise a multidisciplinary approach to realise such cell-on-a-chip devices with compartmentalised organelle-like environments that are connected via microfluidic valves. The final goal of this project is to create a microscale synthetic cell-on-chip for dynamic and precision protein synthesis and bioprocess engineering. The miniaturisation of expression systems can enhance production capacity and also offer a novel manufacturing process that can lead to substantial space-time yields and short development times. It will have game-changing implications for the biopharmaceutical market and beyond, and will also serve as platform to explore the rules underpinning cell biology.