Professor Stephen Mann FRS

Talk: Programmable agency in synthetic protocells and prototissues

Recent progress in the chemical construction of compartmentalized semipermeable microscale objects comprising embodied cytomimetic functions is paving the way towards rudimentary forms of artificial cell-like materials (protocells/prototissues) as a step towards future proto-living technologies.

In this talk, I will demonstrate simple forms of individuated and collective behaviour in synthetic protocells and protocell communities. I will discuss: (i) new approaches to complex synthetic cells (bacteriogenic protocells) by living material assembly (“side-on” assembly)1; (ii) enzyme-powered sensing, motility and oscillation in DNA-based protocells;2,3 (iii) oligonucleotide-based signal processing in protocell networks;4,5 and (iv) programmed assembly of beating or extendable prototissues.6,7 These studies offer new pathways towards intelligent matter based on artificial life materials capable of autonomic behaviour and programmable agency.

About this speaker

Stephen Mann is an eminent chemist, well known for his use of microcrystals — tiny grains of particles — to create new materials with useful properties. His work has been pivotal in enabling the design of futuristic materials, which are likely to be of considerable biological, medical and industrial importance.

Stephen’s early work involved the investigation of the structure of naturally occurring crystals (biomineralisation), and he later developed original ways of synthetically preparing similar materials. His work is inspired by the natural world and he is one of the founders of biomimetic materials chemistry — a field involving the creation of materials inspired by those found in nature.

He is currently Professor of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, as well as the Director of three of the institution’s key research centres. He has published over 450 papers and sits on the board of several distinguished journals.