Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello,
Dose anyone know how I can create a cell membrane. So I can later insert a cell inside of it.

Also I would like to know how I can insert this cell inside the plasma membrane

Thanks for taking your time to read my question.

Hello,
Dose anyone know how I can create a cell membrane. So I can later insert a cell inside of it.

Also I would like to know how I can insert this cell inside the plasma membrane

Thanks for taking your time to read my question.

Hello Mackin69,

You can definitely create artificial cell membranes, but you can't "insert" cells into them. Cells themselves are already surrounded by a cell membrane, and as far as I know, you can't just put a cell inside of an artificial membrane. What questions are you exactly trying to address? If you provide more details about what your project is about, I can provide more guidance as to the methods you can use to test your ideas.

Connie

Hello Mackin69,

It might help if you gave us a better idea of the experimental question you would like to address. We may be able to help you adapt the question to something that is possible to achieve.

Cheers,
Colin

Thank you for your help.

The thing that I am trying yo do is create a cell membrane that could surround a beta cell. This beta cell will then be protected and the body wont let be able to kill it ( in type one diabetes )

What i want to do is learn how i can create a cell membrane

What do I have to do ?

How can I create one around another cell.

Hi Mackin,

I don't think there is a direct answer to this very interesting question. Have a google search for "cell structure" so you are clear on the question you are asking. Really the plasma membrane is part of the cell's structure... it could not remain an intact functioning cell without it, so no, I don't think you can build the plasma membrane then insert everything else into it.

Interestingly, there are lipid-based structures that can mimic the shape of the cell membrane, but probablly not the size. Lipofectamine is one reagent that forms spheroids of lipids, which is close to the plasma membrane structure, albeit VERY simplified. Have a look for "lipid based transfection".
On a side note, this correlation is not accidental - Lipofectamine is used to "hide" DNA inside the spheroid so it can enter the cell's plasma membrane... it couldn't do this if the lipid compositon and structure was vastly different from the cell.

Another thing to look at - synthetic biology. You may find alot of information there... it is a very hot topic in biology now.
http://www.synbioproject.org/