Light-powered CO 2 fixation in a chloroplast mimic with natural and synthetic parts

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aaz6802
• Publication Date: 2020-05-07T23:05:38Z
• Authors: Tarryn E. Miller; Thomas Beneyton; Thomas Schwander; Christoph Diehl; Mathias Girault; Richard McLean; Tanguy Chotel; Peter Claus; Niña Socorro Cortina; Jean-Christophe B...; Tobias J. Erb
• Keywords: Carbon fixation; Chemical energy

Nature integrates complex biosynthetic and energy-converting tasks within compartments such as chloroplasts mitochondria. Chloroplasts convert light into chemical energy, driving carbon dioxide fixation. We used microfluidics to develop a chloroplast mimic by encapsulating operating photosynthetic membranes in cell-sized droplets. These droplets can be energized power enzymes or enzyme cascades analyzed for their catalytic properties multiplex real time. demonstrate how these microdroplets programmed controlled adjusting internal compositions using an external trigger. showcase the capability of our platform integrating crotonyl-coenzyme A (CoA)/ethylmalonyl-CoA/hydroxybutyryl-CoA (CETCH) cycle, synthetic network conversion, create artificial system that interfaces natural biological worlds.