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Nat Commun March 2023 PMID 36898984

Creating complex protocells and prototissues using simple DNA building blocks.

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

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Mentions

39
Peak: 25 in Mar 2023
across 3 sources since Mar 2023

Extended reach

98,117
potential audience

Total likes

98

Video views

116

Mentions per month

Mar 2023 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter32 posts
  • News6 articles
  • YouTube1 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

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.

AgreementModerate 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.

InterestHigh interest

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

EngagementModerate 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.

ImpactModerate 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.

Abstract in brief

  • 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.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Ian hoffecker
@ian_hoffecker · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 35 likes · 4 shares · 1,967 followers View post →
Yusuke Sato
@Yusuke_Sato_510 · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 23 likes · 2 shares · 393 followers View post →
HoworkaLab
@howorka_lab · X

“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

Mar 13, 2023 · 16 likes · 4 shares · 489 followers View post →
DNA nanotech papers
@dnananopapers · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 7 likes · 1 share · 999 followers View post →
Kim
@Kwells04Wells · X

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

Jul 22, 2025 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 516 followers View post →
Kato
@oxkawaka · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 5,812 followers View post →

All mentions

Michael Valentine
@Michael74905972 · X

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

Jul 23, 2025 · 3 shares · 224 followers View post →
Harbinger11111
@Harbinger11111 · X

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

Jul 23, 2025 · 3 shares · 34 followers View post →
Sheila Enzenauer
@SheilaEnzenauer · X

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

Jul 22, 2025 · 3 shares · 314 followers View post →
Kim
@Kwells04Wells · X

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

Jul 22, 2025 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 516 followers View post →
Wafik S. El-Deiry, MD, PhD, FACP
@weldeiry · X

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

Jun 11, 2023 · 18,324 followers View post →
Lifeboat Foundation
@LifeboatHQ · X

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

Jun 10, 2023 · 31,614 followers View post →
emeka_okafor
@emeka_okafor · X

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

Jun 9, 2023 · 13,041 followers View post →
UCL Discovery
@ucl_discovery · X

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

Mar 24, 2023 · 2,528 followers View post →
Bendazole
@Dropwise16 · X

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

Mar 19, 2023 · 2 shares · 104 followers View post →
J. Fernando Bazan @jfernandobazan.bsky.social
@jfernandobazan · X

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

Mar 18, 2023 · 2 shares · 706 followers View post →
Antonio J Vallecillo, PhD
@Vallecillo_AJ · X

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

Mar 18, 2023 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 531 followers View post →
沉默术士
@4000SecondGap · X

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

Mar 18, 2023 · 2 shares · 97 followers View post →
Yoel Ohayon
@DNA_Nanotech · X

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

Mar 17, 2023 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 3,447 followers View post →
ポンデリング
@DnOmqytvc · X

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

Mar 13, 2023 · 4 shares · 92 followers View post →
Toyota_Group_Komaba
@KomaToug · X

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

Mar 13, 2023 · 4 shares · 669 followers View post →
Isabel Zhang
@zhang_isaruihan · X

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

Mar 13, 2023 · 4 shares · 868 followers View post →
UCL Chemistry
@UCLChemistry · X

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

Mar 13, 2023 · 4 shares · 2,768 followers View post →
HoworkaLab
@howorka_lab · X

“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

Mar 13, 2023 · 16 likes · 4 shares · 489 followers View post →
Saacnicteh Toledo-Patino
@SaacNicteh · X

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

Mar 12, 2023 · 4 shares · 650 followers View post →
DNA Fibers
@DNA_Fibers · X

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

Mar 11, 2023 · 49 followers View post →
Clive G. Brown
@The__Taybor · X

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

Mar 11, 2023 · 4 shares · 6,551 followers View post →
酒井 雄介 / SAKAI Yusuke
@sakaiy · X

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

Mar 11, 2023 · 2 shares · 843 followers View post →
Kawano Lab. (東京農工大学 川野研究室)
@KawanoLab__tuat · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,180 followers View post →
Mai Tran
@maiptran21 · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 2 shares · 141 followers View post →
Yusuke Sato
@Yusuke_Sato_510 · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 23 likes · 2 shares · 393 followers View post →
Hedi Karoui
@hedikaroui89 · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 4 shares · 827 followers View post →
ポンデリング
@DnOmqytvc · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 2 shares · 92 followers View post →
Kato
@oxkawaka · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 5,812 followers View post →
Mengying Deng
@Mary_nuannuan · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 4 shares · 8 followers View post →
Kan Yuenyong
@sikkha · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 1 share · 1,972 followers View post →
DNA nanotech papers
@dnananopapers · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 7 likes · 1 share · 999 followers View post →
Ian hoffecker
@ian_hoffecker · X

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

Mar 10, 2023 · 35 likes · 4 shares · 1,967 followers View post →