2025/05/23 by Guanzhong Zhai, Pantelitsa Dimitriou, Jason T. Sengel +1 · 2 voices
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Electrowetting and Microfluidic Technologies #Micro and Nano Robotics #Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence
paper · pdf · doi:10.1101/2025.05.23.655734
openalex publication_date 2025/05/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Abstract A defining feature of living cells is their ability to self-replicate; but creating artificial cells with this capability remains challenging, due to the complexity of biological division machinery. Rather than seeking to reconstitute this machinery, here we take direct control of DNA replication and compartment division using digital microfluidics. This approach allows us to precisely orchestrate these two fundamental processes, providing insight into how they must be coupled for successful self-replication. Our system achieves autonomous cycles of replication and division, with daughter compartments inheriting parental DNA and maintaining genetic continuity across multiple generations - a key feature of living systems that has been di!cult to achieve in artificial cells. By implementing these processes through direct physical manipulation rather than biochemical complexity, we provide a simple testbed that will help to disentangle the essential requirements for self-replicating systems.