The sequence of specific differentiation signals determines the fate of a pluripotent cell. Here pluripotency was introduced into synthetic cells by loading them with three dormant apo-metalloenzymes, which were activated through selective metal ion transport by one of three ionophores. Depending on the sequence of metal ion intake, the synthetic cells differentiated towards five distinct fates.
- Sayuri L. Higashi
- Yanjun Zheng
- Seraphine V. Wegner
