Cell-free Macromolecular Synthesis

This book reviews cell-free production systems, exploring the frontiers in cellular engineering and biotechnology. With contributions from experts in the field, the book offers a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the latest advancements and practical applications. The volume covers a diverse range of topics, beginning with an in-depth analysis of cell-free display techniques for protein evolution, shedding light on the methodologies used to engineer proteins for diverse purposes, followed by an examination of bottom-up synthetic biology employing cell-free protein synthesis. Additionally, it investigates the intricacies of the cell-free synthesis of metalloproteins, elucidating the unique properties and functionalities of these biologically important molecules.

In this book, particular attention is given to the integration of cell-free production systems with droplet microfluidics, a pioneering approach that has revolutionized research activities in both academic and industrial settings. Readers will also discover the latest advancements in cell-free protein synthesis and immobilization, and find out more about the eCell technology, which combines cell-free protein synthesis with bio-sensing and remediation, revolutionizing critical areas of study in biotechnology.

Together with the companion volume entitled “Cell-free Production: System Development”, both books highlight the research progresses on the basic and applied research of cell-free production systems in the last few years, and are invaluable resources for scholars, researchers, and bioengineers. This book also appeals to enthusiasts of synthetic biology. 

Yuan Lu is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, China. After receiving B.S. (2004) and Ph.D. (2009) in chemical engineering from Tsinghua University, China, Dr Lu received postdoctoral training from Johns Hopkins University (2009-2010) and Stanford University (2010-2014), USA. He was a project researcher from 2014 to 2016 at the University of Tokyo, Japan. The central paradigm of Dr Lu’s research is using interdisciplinary approaches in engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science to manipulate biomolecules and complex biological systems. The main focus lies on developing and applying synthetic biology and other cutting-edge technologies to engineer nucleic acids, proteins, pathways, and networks for addressing most daunting challenges in human health.

Michael Jewett Michael Jewett is a Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University. Dr. Jewett received his PhD in 2005 at Stanford University, completed postdoctoral studies at the Center for Microbial Biotechnology in Denmark and the Harvard Medical School, and was a guest professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich). He is the recipient of the NIH Pathway to Independence Award, David and Lucile Packard Fellowship in Science and Engineering, Camille-Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, and a Finalist for the Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists, among others. He is the co-founder of SwiftScale Biologics, Stemloop, Inc., Pearl Bio, Design Pharmaceuticals, and Gauntlet Bio. Jewett is a Fellow of AIMBE, AAAS, and NAI.

Jewett's lab focuses on advancing synthetic biology research in support of planet and societal health. The key idea is to make biology easier to engineer. They develop data-driven, multiplexed methods to elucidate fundamental principles about how the living world works and use knowledge from these insights to create cell-free biotechnologies for transforming bioengineering applications in health, manufacturing, sustainability, and education.