Overview
- Editors:
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Pier Luigi Luisi
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Dipto. Biologia, Università Roma Tre, Roma, Italy
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Pasquale Stano
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, Biology Department, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
- It gives an up-to-date view of experimental research on the construction of advanced cell models based on liposomes
- Biophysical, biochemical, genetic and computational approaches are presented
- One of the most intriguing and challenging aspects of the emerging synthetic biology
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
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Table of contents (15 chapters)
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The Physical Aspects
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- Jacqueline D. Keighron, Christine D. Keating
Pages 3-30
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- David Boal, Cameron Forde
Pages 31-50
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- Luis Acerenza, Martín Graña
Pages 51-64
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- Allen P. Minton, Germán Rivas
Pages 73-89
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Steps Towards Functionality
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Steps towards Functionality
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- W. Andrew Lancaster, Michael W. W. Adams
Pages 93-103
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- Gerald H. Pollack, Xavier Figueroa, Qing Zhao
Pages 105-121
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- Pierre-Alain Monnard, David W. Deamer
Pages 123-151
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- Paul M. Gardner, Benjamin G. Davis
Pages 153-170
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Steps Towards Minimal Life
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Front Matter
Pages 171-171
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Steps towards Minimal Life
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- K. Yoshikawa, S. M. Nomura, K. Tsumoto, K. Takiguchi
Pages 173-193
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- Pasquale Stano, Tereza Pereira de Souza, Matteo Allegretti, Yutetsu Kuruma, Pier Luigi Luisi
Pages 195-216
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- Tomoaki Matsuura, Norikazu Ichihashi, Takeshi Sunami, Hiroshi Kita, Hiroaki Suzuki, Tetsuya Yomo
Pages 275-287
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Back Matter
Pages 289-298
About this book
In the last ten years there has been a considerable increase of interest on the notion of the minimal cell. With this term we usually mean a cell-like structure containing the minimal and sufficient number of components to be defined as alive, or at least capable of displaying some of the fundamental functions of a living cell. In fact, when we look at extant living cells we realize that thousands of molecules are organized spatially and functionally in order to realize what we call cellular life. This fact elicits the question whether such huge complexity is a necessary condition for life, or a simpler molecular system can also be defined as alive. Obviously, the concept of minimal cell encompasses entire families of cells, from totally synthetic cells, to semi-synthetic ones, to primitive cell models, to simple biomimetic cellular systems. Typically, in the experimental approach to the construction of minimal the main ingredient is the compartment. Lipid vesicles (liposomes) are used to host simple and complex molecular transformations, from single or multiple enzymic reactions, to polymerase chain reactions, to gene expression. Today this research is seen as part of the broader scenario of synthetic biology but it is rooted in origins of life studies, because the construction of a minimal cell might provide biophysical insights into the origins of primitive cells, and the emergence of life on earth. The volume provides an overview of physical, biochemical and functional studies on minimal cells, with emphasis to experimental approaches. 15 International experts report on their innovative contributions to the construction of minimal cells.
Editors and Affiliations
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Dipto. Biologia, Università Roma Tre, Roma, Italy
Pier Luigi Luisi
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, Biology Department, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
Pasquale Stano