Invited
Synthetic biology on a chip

Each cell in our body carries out thousands of chemical reactions that are simultaneously executed and orchestrated by enzymatic nano-machines. To simplify the investigation of these complex and highly regulated reaction networks, we develop hybrid systems of DNA and proteins embedded on silicon chips in a way that maintains their biochemical activity. Using biochemical and biophysical methods, we characterize these two dimensional, genetically programmable systems and reconstruct basic cellular processes, towards the realization of a self-replicating autonomous artificial cell.