Microfluidic complementation roadmap to artificial cells
This diagram is the counterpart to the chemical roadmap to artificial cells, but employing electronic microfluidics to complement core cell functionality. The sketches are semi-symbolic, and intended to illustrate the range of possibilities, rather than detailed technical solutions to the individual problems. Integration proceeds from top to bottom of the three core function: metabolism, containment and replication. The reactors in the middle row support dual combinations of these functions, while the vcell and ecell solutions represent combination so fall three core functions for vesicle and purely electronic cells respectively.