Artificial Cells: A Discussion on Uses, Applications, and Benefits

This essay provides an overview of artificial cells, defining them as man-made structures that mimic natural cells and discussing their various applications. The essay highlights the use of artificial cells in hem perfusion to remove harmful substances from the blood, offering a cost-effective alternative to other detoxification methods. It also explores their potential as oxygen carriers, drug delivery devices, and therapeutic agents for enzyme and gene therapies. The author advocates for the incorporation of artificial cells in healthcare due to their numerous advantages, particularly in the context of advancements in nanotechnology and molecular biology. The essay concludes by recommending further research to develop artificial cells with improved polymer membranes and contents to enhance their effectiveness.

RUNNING HEAD: ARTIFICIAL CELLS 1
Artificial cells
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Artificial cells
Introduction
There are is a variety of artificial cells with varying definitions. They can either be
integral biological cell inhibitors that have cell like structures and have similar properties to
living cells. They can also be genetic materials (Elani et al., 2018). However, the bottom line
definition is that they are man-made cells that can mimic the natural cells. These cells have many
uses. In this assignment, there will be a discussion on the uses of artificial cells and a debate of
whether they should be used or not.
Potential uses of artificial cells
Artificial cells can be used for hem perfusion. Hem perfusion is a process in which
different contaminants or harmful substances are removed from the blood. The artificial cells
have special absorbents that removes the harmful substances that infiltrate through the cell
membrane into blood. When compared to other options of blood detoxification, artificial cells
have an upper hand since they are very cheap. The ability to restrict motion of the encased
absorbents makes this option as well.
Artificial cells can also be used as oxygen carriers There are certain artificial cells that
contain hemoglobin or the red blood cells enzymes or both .This cells have the capacity to
oxygen in blood since oxygen usually bind on hemoglobin to form hemoglobin (Golchin et al.,
2017). This therefore means that the artificial cells can be used to solve the dilemmas
surrounding blood transfusion such as the need for blood typing as well as matching so as to
prevent immunological reactions in the patient. Artificial cells can also be sterilized easily and
this therefore means that the will be minimal chances of transmitting blood borne infections like

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AIDS and Hepatitis during blood transfusion. Artificial cells are also made in a way that they
have a very durable membrane and therefore means they can be stored for longer periods as
compared to the natural blood cells that have a lifespan of 42 days when stored at 4 degrees
Celsius.
Artificial cells can also be used as drug delivery devices. Several studies have shown that
artificial cells can be used to deliver drugs to the tissues in a more effective manner as compared
to the oral and the intravenous methods (Reyes, 2018). One aspect that artificial cells have an
upper hand is that the cells can release the drugs slowly once they are in the tissues. Other
potential applications include enzyme therapy, gene therapy and cell therapy.
As for me, I consider the use of artificial cells as a good move in the field of
biotechnology. This due to the numerous advantages or benefits associated with the cells. We are
currently in the generation where nanotechnology and molecular biology are at an advanced
stage (Xu, Hu, & Chen, 2016). What I would just recommend is for novel and more advanced
different types of artificial cells that have better polymer membranes and new contents to be
developed. This will make them more effective.
Conclusion
There have been extensive efforts to come up with artificial cells to copy the natural cells.
These cells can be used in many ways such as drug delivery, hem perfusion and in the delivery
of oxygen to the tissues. Due to the numerous advantages associated with the artificial cells, I
would recommend them to be incorporated in healthcare though further research ought to be
carried out to prepare artificial cells with better polymers and contents.

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References
Elani, Y., Trantidou, T., Wylie, D., Dekker, L., Polizzi, K., Law, R. V., & Ces, O. (2018).
Constructing vesicle-based artificial cells with embedded living cells as organelle-
like modules. Scientific Reports, 8(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-018-22263-3
Golchin, J., Golchin, K., Alidadian, N., Ghaderi, S., Eslamkhah, S., Eslamkhah, M., &
Akbarzadeh, A. (2017). Nanozyme applications in biology and medicine: an
overview. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 45(6), 1069-1076.
doi:10.1080/21691401.2017.1313268
Reyes, A. (2018). Modulating artificial cells for inducing vocal fold lamina propia
regeneration. Cytotherapy, 20(5), S87. doi:10.1016/j.jcyt.2018.02.247
Xu, C., Hu, S., & Chen, X. (2016). Artificial cells: from basic science to applications.
Materials Today, 19(9), 516-532. doi:10.1016/j.mattod.2016.02.020