Cell mimicry aims to substitute for missing/lost cellular function, and to incorporate non-native activity in mammalian cells and tissue towards the integration of the natural and synthetic world. Artificial cells and artificial organelles refer to bottom-up assembled reactors with beneficial interaction with biological cells. Further, soft nanobots are entities that exhibit enhanced locomotion as an adaptive response to change in the environment towards their active interaction with cells and tissue. Structural and functional behaviour of these assemblies heavily depends on tailored polymeric building blocks.<br/>Our soft nanobots are based on polymer particles equipped with enzymatic motors are successful examples of biocompatible nanobots that can penetrate 3D cell spheroids. Further, disintegrating polymer multilayers can be used to induced locomotion in polymer-based motors depending on environmental cues. Alternatively, surface-induced polymerization can result in enhanced mobility of particles that depends on the particles density.<br/>From a different perspective, proliferating 3D cell aggregates can integrate subcompartmentalized hydrogel particles that can act as microreactors to support their natural role models e.g., by alleviating the pressure from the cells when exposed to toxic compounds or to kick-start biomineralization. Further, our successful communication between polymeric artificial and mammalian cells based on chemical signalling opens up new opportunities with potential in regenerative medicine.<br/>Taken together, cell mimicry is an emerging area that can offer multi-angled opportunities to address challenges in biomedicine.

Polymers as building blocks in cell mimicry

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.