This detailed volume explores perspectives and methods using cell-free expression (CFE) to enable next-generation synthetic biology applications. The first section focuses on tools for CFE systems, including a primer on DNA handling and reproducibility, as well as methods for cell extract preparation from diverse organisms and enabling high-throughput cell-free experimentation. The second section provides an array of applications for CFE systems, such as metabolic engineering, membrane-based and encapsulated CFE, cell-free sensing and detection, and educational kits. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Cell‐Free Gene Expression: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for researchers seeking technical methods to current aspects of CFE and related applications.

Cell-free protein synthesis is coming of age! Motivated by an escalating need for efficient protein synthesis and empowered by readily accessible cell-free protein synthesis kits, the technology is expanding both in the range of feasible proteins and in the ways that proteins can be labeled and modified. This volume follows "Cell-Free Translation Systems", edited by Professor Alexander S. Spirin in 2002. Since then, an impressive collection of new work has emerged that demonstrates a substantial expansion of capability. In this volume, we show that proteins now can be efficiently produced using PCR products as DNA templates and that even membrane proteins and proteins with multiple disulfide proteins are obtained at high yields. Many additional advances are also presented. It is an exciting time for protein synthesis technology.

This is a unique book that describes the most recent achievements in the methodology of protein biosynthesis under cell-free conditions. Various versions of cell-free protein-synthesizing systems and their applications to production of individual proteins on a preparative scale are reviewed. The most recent, advanced methodologies, such as continuous-exchange and continuous-flow cell-free systems and novel effecting batch-format cell-free procedures, are considered. Special attention is drawn to the possibilities of structural (NMR; X-ray) analysis of various gene expression products with the use of a new generation of cell-free systems.

Following its inception in the 1950s, cell-free protein synthesis made a tremendous impact on the basic life sciences. The use of cell-free systems was key to understanding molecular mechanisms underlying one of the most complicated processes found in nature: protein translation. Since this time, aggressive cutting-edge research and stiff commerical competition have driven the development of a variety of systems with increased productivity, improved protein quality and relatively low production costs. As a result, technology has generated myriad applications that have enabled advances in fields as diverse as systems biology, structural biology, and drug discovery. Cell-Free Protein Expression describes and expands upon many of these applications. The volume has been divided into six main sections. In the first section, many of the most popular sources of cell-free lysates are introduced. The second section focuses on extraordinary advances made in the Escherichia coli-based systems that have enabled reconstitution of the entire translational process, incorporation of post-translational modifications, yield increase, and production of functional membrane proteins. This progress extends the usefulness of cell-free systems into structural biology applications described in the third section and high-content platforms like protein microarrays discussed in the fourth section. The final two sections cover the use of cell-free protein expression technologies in the rational design and directed evolution of proteins within the scientific community.

With its detailed description of membrane protein expression, high-throughput and genomic-scale expression studies, both on the analytical and the preparative scale, this book covers the latest advances in the field. The step-by-step protocols and practical examples given for each method constitute practical advice for beginners and experts alike.