Energy-autonomous artificial cells are assembled through the synergistic integration of three components: model membranes, proton pumps, and ATPase, thereby mimicking oxidative/photosynthetic phosphorylation to sustainadenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis in vitro. In recent years, researchers have employed diverse bottom-up models including liposomes, polymer bodies, coalescent droplets, oil-in-water micelles, and metal-organic frameworks-to precisely reconstruct proton pumps and ATPase within the same microchamber. This enables the cascading conversion of light/chemical energy into proton motive force, which is then converted into ATP. Other teams have bypassed membrane protein assembly challenges by directly encapsulating intact mitochondria, thylakoids, or constructing non-classical systems like the arginine degradation pathway, achieving higher energy output efficiencies. Against this backdrop, this paper focuses on the latest advances in these three construction strategies, exploring their catalytic efficacy and micro/macromolecular sequestration capabilities in biomimetic applications such as CO2 fixation and metabolic regulation. This paper systematically integrates these advances, providing critical guidance for engineering applications in synthetic biology, targeted drug delivery, regenerative therapies, and biohybrid energy conversion devices. It thereby aims to propel the field's transition from fundamental research to practical implementation.
Long et al. (Fri,) studied this question.