Orchestrating Self-Replication in Artificial Cells through Digital Microfluidics

TBC


DMF Replicator
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.


Group Scientific Away Day in Brighton

May, 2025

Escaped from London and let loose on Brighton for a day of science and some fun.


Triply Responsive Control of Anion/Cation Transport with an Artificial Ion Channel Responsive to Multiple Stimuli

10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-sbp1x


azo-p5 ion channels.
We present a synthetic ion channel whose activity can be controlled by three orthogonal stimuli (light, pH, guest/ligand). The channel is formed from a pillar[5]arene functionalized with photoswitchable tetrafluoroazobenzene moieties. We demonstrate excellent control over E:Z switching across ten incorporated photoswitches (E to Z 87%, Z to E quant.). We show that the most active isomer – the Z-isomer – forms dimeric ion channels in membranes, with selectivity for M+/Cl− symport. Single molecule planar bilayer conductance studies show distinct high and low conductance states dependent on irradiation wavelength. Finally, we demonstrate that this activity can be modulated over 170-fold by controlling pH, irradiation, and guest addition, creating a powerful addition to the canon of synthetic ion channels.


Rational Design Principles for De Novo α-Helical Peptide Barrels with Dynamic Conductive Channels

10.1021/jacs.4c13933


α-helical peptide channels.
Despite advances in peptide and protein design, the rational design of membrane-spanning peptides that form conducting channels remains challenging due to our imperfect understanding of the sequence-to-structure relationships that drive membrane insertion, assembly, and conductance. Here, we describe the design and computational and experimental characterization of a series of coiled coil-based peptides that form transmembrane α-helical barrels with conductive channels.


Real-time label-free imaging of living crystallization-driven self-assembly

10.1038/s41467-025-57776-9


Real-time label-free imaging of living crystallization-driven self-assembly.
Our latest work now published in Nature Communications. This is the last of our pandemic papers, so no membrane biophysics! Applying label-free microscopy to watch polymer self-assembly in real-time. This lets us map directly how reaction parameters affect the composition and growth of individual 2D polymer microplatelets. A fantastic collaboration with Rachel O’Reilly at the University of Birmingham. Congratulations go to Yujie Guo for another fantastic bit of science.


Ion Transport and Membrane Channel Formation Using a Peptidomimetic in Droplet Interface Bilayers

10.1039/D4CC05926C


Peptidomimetic channels.
Herein, we present a synthetic peptidomimetic, TBP2, which forms artificial membrane channels within Droplet Interface Bilayers (DIBs). Through real-time electrophysiology, TIRF microscopy, and single-channel recordings, we demonstrate the ability of TBP2 to mediate high-conductance transport of Na⁺ and K⁺ across the DIBs, highlighting its potential for nanobiotechnology applications in cell-free systems.


Siyuan Zhou

January, 2025


Siyuan Zhou

Siyuan joined the group as KURF student 2022 studying Biochemistry BSc at King’s, after come back from a exchange year at Hopkins, he finished his final year on the project ‘De novo Design of Ion Channels from α-Helical Barrels ‘ and continues his PhD on De novo protein channel design research as a BBSRC LIDo project student. Outside lab he is a reptile keeper and scuba diver.


Christmas Dinner in Covent Garden

December, 2024

Hotpot at Leicester Square and an early Christmas present from the group (I think…)


De novo design of α-helical peptide channels with designer stoichiometry

10.1101/2024.10.05.616771


α-helical peptide channels.
Despite advances in peptide and protein design, the rational design of membrane-spanning peptides that form conducting channels remains challenging due to our imperfect understanding of the sequence-to-structure relationships that drive membrane insertion, assembly, and conductance. Here, we describe the design and computational and experimental characterization of a series of coiled coil-based peptides that form transmembrane α-helical barrels.


Adelina Krusteva

October, 2024


Adelina Krusteva

Adelina’s journey began during an industrial placement year at Ipsen, where she gained hands-on experience in protein engineering working with Botulinum toxins. After completing her BSc at King’s, she joined the Wallace lab to continue work on the translocation mechanism of BoNT. Outside the lab, she is a painter and a practitioner of BJJ and Muay Thai—pursuing these passions when inspiration and energy align.


Wallace Lab - Mark Wallace