Cell-free Systems: Recent Advances and Future Outlook

• Published in: Biotechnology and bioprocess engineering Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 955 - 961
• Main Authors: Koo, Jamin, Yang, Jiho, Park, Hyunjun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul The Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering 01.12.2020; Springer Nature B.V; 한국생물공학회
• Subjects: Amino acids; Biotechnology; Cell walls; Cell-free system; Cellular structure; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Costs; Engineering; Enzymes; Fermentation; Industrial and Production Engineering; Kinases; Membranes; Metabolic engineering; Metabolism; Metabolites; Process controls; Protein biosynthesis; Protein synthesis; Proteins; Review Paper; 생물공학; protein synthesis; cell-free; metabolic engineering; unnatural amino acids; artificial intelligence
• ISSN: 1226-8372; 1976-3816
• DOI: 10.1007/s12257-020-0013-x

Cell-free systems utilize a subset of cellular components without intact cell wall and/or membranes. The system was first invented for use in fermentation. Subsequent improvements enabled its application in protein synthesis, which is still the most common use of the system. Lately, attempts have been reported where metabolic engineering concepts and techniques were applied to cell-free systems and/or vice-versa. These attempts and advances led to exciting discoveries about biochemical reactions, as well as properties and/or structures of cellular components that make up complex biological systems. This review will first provide a basic overview and brief history of the cell-free system. Then, explanation on recent advances in the field will be provided, followed by notes on the innovative applications. Future outlook of the field will also be covered with the emphasis on how the emerging data science methods can be applied to improve the system and its applicability.