Chemists at University College London and the University of Oxford have unveiled a synthetic cell system that can be remotely triggered via a magnetic field to produce and release a therapeutic protein deep within tissue like environments.
Dr. Michael Booth (UCL) highlights the potential of synthetic cells for on-demand therapies: these constructs might one day detect a local signal; like a tumor marker or bacterial agent; and release treatment precisely where needed, reducing side effects through lower dosing. Ellen Parkes (Oxford) added that the next phase involves loading actual anti-cancer agents into the system and testing their effects in lab-based cancer models.
Parkes, E., al Samad, A., Mazzotti, G., Newell, C., Ng, B., Radford, A., & Booth, M. J. (2025). Magnetic activation of spherical nucleic acids enables the remote control of synthetic cells. Nature Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-025-01909-6
Synthetic cells are engineered vesicles; lipid bound, non living constructs that carry DNA and cell free expression machinery. These systems can synthesize proteins internally, functioning as minimal mimics of living cells. However, prior activation methods, like light, lack the ability to penetrate more than a millimeter into tissue, limiting their in vivo use.
Dr. Michael Booth, from UCL’s Department of Chemistry stated,
“What is exciting about our study is it opens up the potential for synthetic cells to be used in the body. It makes new kinds of treatments possible.”Synthetic cells can be customized for a wide range of uses. They could in the future be engineered to release a medicine upon detecting something in their immediate environment; say, a tumor or bacteria. This more targeted approach could allow clinicians to use smaller doses of a treatment, making it safer. “Our proof-of-principle work was carried out in water and the next step is for this technique to be tested with an anti-cancer ‘cargo’ targeting cancer cells in the lab.”
By incorporating magnetic nanoparticles at the core of these synthetic cells, linked to DNA promoter sequences (creating spherical nucleic acids), the researchers harnessed magnetic hyperthermia to activate protein synthesis on demand. These magnetic fields, already used in treating glioblastomas, generate localized heat that triggers DNA driven protein production and enables controlled release of therapeutic cargo.
The team placed these magnetic synthetic cells within an opaque, black tube designed to mimic dense tissue. Applying an alternating magnetic field successfully triggered internal activation and cargo release; demonstrating penetration and remote control in a tissue-like setting.
They applied “click chemistry” to attach DNA firmly to magnetic cores. To further reduce loosely bound (“leaky”) DNA strands, they embedded particles in a gel and applied an electric field; removing ~90% of the unstable DNA and enhancing control over activation timing.
Both the magnetic field strength and heat generated are within ranges deemed safe for humans. Given that magnetic hyperthermia is already used clinically, repurposing it for controlled drug release within synthetic cells may fast track translational potential.
The team showed that magnetic hyperthermia can trigger protein production and drug release from synthetic cells only when needed, with leakage reduced by about 90% through an electric field purification step. Activation worked even in tissue like conditions, and the field strengths used are within safe clinical ranges. Next, the system will be tested with real therapeutic agents in cancer models.
This work moves synthetic cells beyond proof of concept, delivering a mechanism for deep-tissue activation that is non-invasive, controllable, and clinically plausible. It bridges synthetic biology, nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering; creating a platform where drugs can be both synthesized and released on demand deep within the body.
Adrian graduated with a Masters Degree (1st Class Honours) in Chemical Engineering from Chester University along with Harris. His master’s research aimed to develop a standardadised clean water oxygenation transfer procedure to test bubble diffusers that are currently used in the wastewater industry commercial market. He has also undergone placments in both US and China primarely focused within the R&D department and is an associate member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
