Figure 7.

Cell-free protein synthesis on the basis of nanocomposite hydrogels. Cell-free protein synthesis was performed at 30 °C for 2.5 h in 25 µL reactions, using a HeLa-cell-extract-based system following manufacturer’s instructions. (a) The expression vector was added incorporated into S100 (red) or SC25 (blue) hydrogel or SC25 microgel (green). As a control, 0.66 µg plasmid was used in solution (black), corresponding to the amount of plasmid incorporated into the hydrogel. Fluorescence measurement at λ_Ex 485 nm/λ_Em 515 nm shows the highest level of eGFP expression for the plasmid control sample. (b) Equal amounts of the expression vector were incorporated either into four 2.5 µL SC25 (blue) hydrogels or used as free plasmids in solution (black). Fluorescence measurement at λ_Ex 485 nm/λ_Em 515 nm enables calculation of the level of eGFP expression based on an eGFP calibration curve.