Integrating artificial with natural cells to translate chemical messages that direct E. coli behaviour

Previous efforts to control cellular behaviour have largely relied upon various forms of geneticengineering. Once the genetic content of a living cell is modified, the behaviour of that celltypically changes as well. However, other methods of cellular control are possible. All cellssense and respond to their environment. Therefore, artificial, non-living cellular mimics couldbe engineered to activate or repress already existing natural sensory pathways of living cellsthrough chemical communication. Here we describe the construction of such a system. Theartificial cells expand the senses of Escherichia coli by translating a chemical message thatE. coli cannot sense on its own to a molecule that activates a natural cellular response. Thismethodology could open new opportunities in engineering cellular behaviour withoutexploiting genetically modified organisms.