Answer: unequal divisions by design provides a unique synthetic system capable of making decisions on its future fates and states by selectively utilizing two types of divisions.
Explanation:
Stem cells make decisions on either self-reproduction or differentiation by selectively utilizing equal vs. unequal cell divisions Stem cells reproduce themselves by equal divisions. However, they undergo a one-round of an unequal division to reproduce one daughter stem cell which is identical to the original and to produce the other daughter cell that is destined to differentiate to a specialized cell type, thus differentiating into non-stem cell lineages – the process known as “asymmetric cell division”. The differentiated cells reproduce themselves via equal divisions. Therefore, the ability to control equal vs. unequal divisions by design provides a unique synthetic system capable of making decisions on its future fates and states by selectively utilizing two types of divisions.
Over the last two decades, several synthetic cell division systems were synthesized However, none provided a system where equal vs. unequal divisions could be controlled by design. Hence, we set out to synthesize an artificial cell system where we can control equal vs. unequal divisions by design.
