Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks.

Nishkantha Arulkumaran, Mervyn Singer, Stefan Howorka, Jonathan R Burns

March 2023 Nat Commun

Synopsis of Social media discussions

Several posts express enthusiasm by mentioning the publication in prominent journals and emphasizing the potential applications of artificial tissues and synthetic cells, using words like 'creating,' 'significant,' and 'potential.' This language reflects genuine interest and recognition of the research's promising future impact, although many comments are brief and largely celebratory, indicating moderate engagement and impact perception.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the research, with phrases like 'creating complex protocells' and references to publications in reputable outlets, indicating general approval and recognition of its importance.

I
Interest
 High level of interest

The posts demonstrate high interest, with commenters highlighting the innovative aspects of DNA-based frameworks and their potential applications, suggesting curiosity and relevance.

E
Engagement
 Moderate level of engagement

While some discussions reference specific scientific achievements such as stability improvements and tissue mimicking, many posts remain at a general level, showing moderate depth of engagement.

I
Impact
 Moderate level of impact

The consensus hints at a perceived meaningful impact, as users refer to the research's potential for medical materials and synthetic biology, though without detailed critique or deep analysis.

Social Mentions

YouTube

1 Videos

Twitter

32 Posts

News

6 Articles

Metrics

Video Views

116

Total Likes

98

Extended Reach

98,117

Social Features

39

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

Designing Synthetic Cell Structures Using Basic DNA Components

Designing Synthetic Cell Structures Using Basic DNA Components

This research demonstrates creating complex protocells and prototissues with simple DNA building blocks, enabling the formation of tissue-like assemblies and enhancing stability, advancing synthetic cell and tissue engineering capabilities.

STEM RTCL TV

June 16, 2023

116 views

  • Michael Valentine
    @Michael74905972 (Twitter)

    RT @Kwells04Wells: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/XA5I79Uu7d Also see: https:…
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    July 23, 2025

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  • Harbinger11111
    @Harbinger11111 (Twitter)

    RT @Kwells04Wells: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/XA5I79Uu7d Also see: https:…
    view full post

    July 23, 2025

    3

  • Sheila Enzenauer
    @SheilaEnzenauer (Twitter)

    RT @Kwells04Wells: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/XA5I79Uu7d Also see: https:…
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    July 22, 2025

    3

  • Kim
    @Kwells04Wells (Twitter)

    Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/XA5I79Uu7d Also see: https://t.co/7MZyXxr8k6 https://t.co/LHj9fA6pJ9 https://t.co/hfLqOjBnss
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    July 22, 2025

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  • Wafik S. El-Deiry, MD, PhD, FACP
    @weldeiry (Twitter)

    Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/tCRNQnKgUk
    view full post

    June 11, 2023

  • Lifeboat Foundation
    @LifeboatHQ (Twitter)

    Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/lVsHeSHBYL
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    June 10, 2023

  • emeka_okafor
    @emeka_okafor (Twitter)

    Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/HAlURVI3FV
    view full post

    June 9, 2023

  • UCL Discovery
    @ucl_discovery (Twitter)

    Open Access UCL Research: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks - UCL Discovery https://t.co/o4zzipoTJX
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    March 24, 2023

  • Bendazole
    @Dropwise16 (Twitter)

    RT @Vallecillo_AJ: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks. https://t.co/K0ZWmip5or
    view full post

    March 19, 2023

    2

  • J. Fernando Bazan @jfernandobazan.bsky.social
    @jfernandobazan (Twitter)

    RT @DNA_Nanotech: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/fWld4xBw77 https://t.co/vkmU5s…
    view full post

    March 18, 2023

    2

  • Antonio J Vallecillo, PhD
    @Vallecillo_AJ (Twitter)

    Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks. https://t.co/K0ZWmip5or
    view full post

    March 18, 2023

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  • 沉默术士
    @4000SecondGap (Twitter)

    RT @DNA_Nanotech: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/fWld4xBw77 https://t.co/vkmU5s…
    view full post

    March 18, 2023

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  • Yoel Ohayon
    @DNA_Nanotech (Twitter)

    Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/fWld4xBw77 https://t.co/vkmU5s9Mlg
    view full post

    March 17, 2023

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  • ポンデリング
    @DnOmqytvc (Twitter)

    RT @howorka_lab: “Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks" has been published in @NatureComms. This s…
    view full post

    March 13, 2023

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  • Toyota_Group_Komaba
    @KomaToug (Twitter)

    RT @howorka_lab: “Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks" has been published in @NatureComms. This s…
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    March 13, 2023

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  • Isabel Zhang
    @zhang_isaruihan (Twitter)

    RT @howorka_lab: “Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks" has been published in @NatureComms. This s…
    view full post

    March 13, 2023

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  • UCL Chemistry
    @UCLChemistry (Twitter)

    RT @howorka_lab: “Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks" has been published in @NatureComms. This s…
    view full post

    March 13, 2023

    4

  • HoworkaLab
    @howorka_lab (Twitter)

    “Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks" has been published in @NatureComms. This study has been led by Dr. Jonathan Burns. https://t.co/xoOi0g7PRY
    view full post

    March 13, 2023

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  • Saacnicteh Toledo-Patino
    @SaacNicteh (Twitter)

    RT @ian_hoffecker: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/ki9B6ZIqz8 nanotechnology htt…
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    March 12, 2023

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  • DNA Fibers
    @DNA_Fibers (Twitter)

    Our new paper creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks has just been published. https://t.co/gK3inbyrHn
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    March 11, 2023

  • Clive G. Brown
    @The__Taybor (Twitter)

    RT @ian_hoffecker: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/ki9B6ZIqz8 nanotechnology htt…
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    March 11, 2023

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  • 酒井 雄介 / SAKAI Yusuke
    @sakaiy (Twitter)

    RT @oxkawaka: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/dEV8NVo1fl
    view full post

    March 11, 2023

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  • Kawano Lab. (東京農工大学 川野研究室)
    @KawanoLab__tuat (Twitter)

    RT @Yusuke_Sato_510: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/yCRufaTmbv
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    March 10, 2023

    2

  • Mai Tran
    @maiptran21 (Twitter)

    RT @Yusuke_Sato_510: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/yCRufaTmbv
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    March 10, 2023

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  • Yusuke Sato
    @Yusuke_Sato_510 (Twitter)

    Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/yCRufaTmbv
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    March 10, 2023

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  • Hedi Karoui
    @hedikaroui89 (Twitter)

    RT @ian_hoffecker: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/ki9B6ZIqz8 nanotechnology htt…
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    March 10, 2023

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  • ポンデリング
    @DnOmqytvc (Twitter)

    RT @oxkawaka: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/dEV8NVo1fl
    view full post

    March 10, 2023

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  • Kato
    @oxkawaka (Twitter)

    Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/dEV8NVo1fl
    view full post

    March 10, 2023

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  • Mengying Deng
    @Mary_nuannuan (Twitter)

    RT @ian_hoffecker: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/ki9B6ZIqz8 nanotechnology htt…
    view full post

    March 10, 2023

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  • Kan Yuenyong
    @sikkha (Twitter)

    RT @dnananopapers: Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/PdKKmgdUL4 https://t.co/pHZFB…
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    March 10, 2023

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  • DNA nanotech papers
    @dnananopapers (Twitter)

    Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/PdKKmgdUL4 https://t.co/pHZFBJW2lw
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    March 10, 2023

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  • Ian hoffecker
    @ian_hoffecker (Twitter)

    Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks https://t.co/ki9B6ZIqz8 nanotechnology https://t.co/hEAbjsh2UN
    view full post

    March 10, 2023

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Abstract Synopsis

  • The research focuses on creating complex cell-like structures called protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks, specifically five oligonucleotides, which can self-assemble into nanotubes or fibers with customizable sizes.
  • The study shows that these DNA-based frameworks can be precisely positioned inside or outside the protocells to improve their physical stability and mimic natural skeletal structures like cytoskeletons or exoskeletons, enabling the formation of larger tissue-like assemblies.
  • This approach highlights the potential for designing synthetic cells and tissues in a bottom-up manner, paving the way for advanced medical materials and devices.]