Systems biomimetism: Artificial cells in a living world, living cells in an artificial world

Abstract

Most biological systems are organized according to complex architectures involving multi-scale hierarchical organizations, non linear interactions, feedback controls, and evolutionary behaviors. To understand the underlying physical, biological, and chemical aspects controlling the organization of living systems, we are developing a multidisciplinary, ‘biomimetic’ approach where: i) well-defined artificial cell systems such as giant liposomes of controlled size and composition are produced and placed under biologically relevant contions (artificial cells in a living world); and ii) living cell systems are investigated under a controlled artificial micro-environment, mainly generated by microfluidic means (living cells in an artificial world).