Introduction to Protocells and Artificial Cells

Two cell architectures : In/OUT

Vesicular and micellar cell architectures with informational chemistry on inside or outside.

The following provides a general introduction to protocells and artificial cells, from the physical and chemical perspective, outlining how they are defined, methods of producing them, their scientific roots in Origin of Life and Artificial Life research, and why the time is now ripe for their research and exploitation.


While the term protocell refers to both natural and artificial cells that are simpler than all current and known biological cells, the term artificial cell refers to any artificial entity fulfilling the basic properties ascribed to cells: in PACE this involves the three systems that endow the cell with a measur eof chemical evolvability and autonomy:

a metabolism, containment system and genetic encoding of key components.

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