Steps Toward a Synthetic Protocell

Abstract This chapter presents graphical representations that help characterize and classify the essential functional features of several protocell research efforts. It shows how graphical representations can construct a roadmap of different paths leading to the synthesis of protocells. The diagrams presented in this chapter demonstrates causal interactions in a protocell, protocell construction from nonliving materials, container self-assembly, template-directed replication, and metabolic coupling. Finally, the chapter shows how causal diagrams can be applied to protocell research, including experimental achievements, simulation results, and hypothetical schemes.