Transmembrane signal processing in synthetic cells

world's challenges using synthetic cells.

In this project, you will create a versatile toolkit for synthetic cell communication. Your role will be to establish new, modular, and open-source approaches for transmembrane signal processing in non-living synthetic cells. This will enable synthetic cells to sense, process, and respond to environmental cues, supporting applications such as smart therapeutics, biosensing, and biomanufacturing.

Synthetic cells are minimal, engineered compartments, commonly formed from lipid vesicles, that mimic key cellular functions, such as protein expression, metabolism, and communication. A defining feature of living systems is their ability to sense and respond to external signals via controlled transport across membranes. However, synthetic cells currently lack robust, programmable mechanisms for transmembrane signalling, limiting their ability to interact dynamically with their environment or with each other. Developing efficient transmembrane signalling strategies is therefore essential to create responsive, communicative systems that better approximate living cells.

This project will take advantage of the published and ongoing work in the Booth group on synthetic cell and nucleic acid bioengineering (see selected publications below), along with Nucleus (nucleus.engineering), the open synthetic cell engineering platform that b.next stewards. The student will gain expertise in a vast array of techniques across biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, and bioengineering, including: cell-free systems, synthetic cell generation, nucleic acid manipulation, and bioconjugation. This project will involve a 3-month placement at b.next, stewards of the Nucleus platform.

Please visit the Booth group website for more details about our research: www.boothlab.uk

The successful applicant will demonstrate strong interest and self-motivation in the subject and the ability to think analytically and creatively. An enquiring and rigorous approach to research as well as good team-working, observational and communication skills (both presentation and writing skills in English) are also essential. Previous research experience in a synthetic biology-related project is highly desirable but not essential, as training will be provided. UCL offers a world leading scientific environment in the heart of London.

Interested candidates should initially contact the primary supervisor, Dr Booth (m.j.booth@ucl.ac.uk)

To apply, please visit the LIDo's Apply website at https://www.lido-dtp.ac.uk/apply and follow the steps outlined on that page. Students can apply directly to the named iCASE project advertised on the LIDo website. iCASE applicants will have two interviews, the first will be with a neutral LIDo panel and, if successful at that stage, a second interview with the iCASE supervisors will take place shortly after.

Funding Notes

Fully funded studentship including a stipend of at least £23,805 and tuition fees.

References

1. Programmable and Dynamic DNA Localisation at Synthetic Cell Membranes. C.Dack, B.Li, C.Newell, M.J.Booth (2026) BioRxiv. 10.64898/2026.07.13.738173
2. Membrane-Associated Biomolecules for Synthetic Cell Signalling. C.Dack, B.Li, C.Newell, M.J.Booth (2026) ChemBioChem, 27, 13, e70450
3. Magnetic Activation of Spherical Nucleic Acids for the Remote Control of Synthetic Cells. E.Parkes, A.Al Samad, G.Mazzotti, C.Newell, B.Ng, A.Radford, M.J.Booth (2025) Nature Chemistry, 17, 1505
4. Strategies and applications of synthetic cell communication. H.Moghimianavval, C.Newell, P.Parvizian, M.J.Booth, A.Liu (2025) Nature Chemical Biology, 21, 1317
5. Engineering cellular communication between light-activated synthetic cells and bacteria. J.M.Smith, D.Hartmann, M.J.Booth (2023) Nature Chemical Biology, 19, 1138