Advances in artificial cells capable of metabolic mimicry: from fundamentals to applications

Abstract

Artificial cells capable of mimicking metabolism represent a rapidly evolving frontier in synthetic biology. These systems integrate enzymes to reconstruct essential metabolic pathways, enabling the study of cellular processes in simplified yet controllable environments. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advantages and limitations of various artificial cells for metabolic mimicry based on their physical properties. The major strategies for energy generation, including organelle encapsulation, photosynthetic phosphorylation, and nanomaterial-assisted ATP synthesis, are summarized. Anabolic processes such as carbon fixation, lipid biosynthesis, and protein expression are discussed in detail, along with representative examples of catabolic pathways involved in carbon and nitrogen metabolism. We highlight the emerging applications of metabolically functional artificial cells in biosensing and disease diagnosis. By bridging the fundamental principles and practical applications, this review aims to provide valuable insights into the design and deployment of artificial metabolic systems, paving the way for next-generation synthetic biological tools.