Cell-free protein synthesis in a microfabricated reactor

Microbiochemical reactors having two inlet ports and one outlet port were fabricated on a silicon wafer by means of anisotropic etching in order to develop a parallel and automatic experimental system for cell-free translation. Using cell-free extract prepared from Escherichia coli, we tested the reactor for the translation of polyuridylic acid and MS2 phage RNA, and found that polypeptide and protein syntheses could be proceeded according to the genetic codes on the mRNAs. It indicates that the microfabricated reactor is useful for enzymatic reactions including complicated ones like cell-free translation. We also discuss the possibility of microsystems as advanced experimental tools for not only cell-free translation but also other various biochemical and biological research fields.