Eternally grateful to the team, funding agencies (@ERC_Research, @mattertolife, @AvHStiftung), and the @TU_Muenchen for continuous support.

We also have to show that genes compete (through the synthetic cells). For that, we need multiple (hundreds?) replicators combined to form a real genotype. So, plenty of work to do.

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We need to demonstrate that the genotype is passed on to offspring. This is what we aim to do with our recently introduced droplets that divide. https://t.co/OBBa6mEiGR

Genotype—phenotype coupling is critical for Darwinian evolution. Genes help the organism, which helps genes. We showed analogous coupling in a non-biological system. But, we're far from showing Darwinian evolution.

But the other way around is also true. Hector designed the replicator to help the droplets live much longer during periods without fuel: Genotype helps the phenotype.

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So, Hector developped a replicator compatible with our droplets as a minimal genotype. He used an autocatalyst from the Deveraj Lab and found that it can replicate in droplets. In fact, it copies itself better within droplets than outside them. So, phenotype helps genotype.

In biology, the genotype is the hereditary information that affects phenotype—our genome. We wonder if it needs to be DNA for new life forms. As long as it is replicated, passed on to the next generation during division, and affects the phenotype of the synthetic cell, is it OK?

These droplets compete for fuel, which acts as a selection pressure—if you, as a droplet, survive to the next round of fuel, you get to “live” another few minutes. If not, you start over again. But, whether they survive or not, is completely stochastic—they have no genotype.

The work builds on our efforts towards synthetic life—a system capable of Darwinian evolution based on non-biological building blocks. We use our fuel-dependent synthetic cells—droplets that emerge and grow when fuel is present, but decay when you forget to feed them.

I’m happy to share Hector Soria Carrera and Leonie Kauling’s recent work in @Chem_CP! A thread below. https://t.co/DbsMJiGUmY

Chemically Fueled, Active Droplets Prevent the Aging of Peptides into Amyloid-Like Fibers | Journal of the American Chemical Society @BoekhovenLab @TU_Muenchen

Freshly published: "Primitive genotype-phenotype coupling in fuel-dependent synthetic cells" Twitter feed to follow https://t.co/9LfrnVYzoq

Catalyst optimization through synthetic Darwinian evolution https://t.co/LNzGu1qyjj

Our latest work in @J_A_C_S! Artificial system that can sense, grow, and adapt—just like cells! Our droplets form directional filopodia in response to chemical cues- a step toward life-like materials. #ActiveMatter #SoftMatter #Emulsions #SelfAssembly 🔗 https://t.co/vBBvnwtMYc

🔥Professor Job Boekhoven (@BoekhovenLab) from @TU_Muenchen just showed how chemical fuels can drive dynamic self-assembly, creating life-like supramolecular structures at #SupraLife #FinalConference. Exciting steps towards synthetic, responsive materials! @COMPASS_RG @ciceco_ua

Wow!🤩

🗣️ @BoekhovenLab is Associate Professor in the Bioscience Department at the @TU_Muenchen 🇩🇪 🎯 His research focuses on #molecular #selfassembly and #non-#equilibrium #chemically fueled #supramolecular #assemblies towards #synthetic #life from the bottom up 👌 👉 Do not miss it!

Pumping molecules without a pump? Back-to-back with @BoekhovenLab, we describe minimal systems that use chemical energy (via catalysis) to transport molecules against a concentration gradient. Us: https://t.co/LZsPDm7HZj Job's team: https://t.co/2bNBT4iOoA 🦋for details &🧵

Check out Monika Wenisch's work published in @Chem_CP! We’ve engineered synthetic cells that emerge, grow, and produce offspring autonomously, powered by chemical fuel. A significant stride towards synthetic life (Movie by Leonie Kauling) https://t.co/ykgFlEdPEX

I'm very grateful for the smooth collaboration and funding by the @ERC_Research, the ORIGINS cluster, and the Max Planck School @mattertolife.