Communication in tertiary communities of synthetic cells 

Cell-cell communication is a process of sending molecular signals within a multicellular community. The transport of chemical signals from one cell type to the next determines the functionality of the multicellular system. Within these communities, different cells take on different functions, acting as sender, receiver, and messenger cells. In this project, we aim to establish a similar framework of intracellular communication in communities of synthetic cells. For this purpose, we employ GUVs (Giant Unilamellar Vesicles) as our synthetic cell model, as these are close mimics of the lipid cell membrane. This study focuses on developing light-controlled communication between three distinct populations of synthetic cells taking on the roles of sender, messenger, and receiver. The chemical communication between these synthetic cells will be realized using a series of engineered chemical signaling cascades. Overall, the photoswitchable adhesions provide spatiotemporal control over the signalling process through external light illumination.