Cytoplasmic abundant heat-soluble proteins from tardigrades protect synthetic cells under stress
Allen P. Liu
Nature Communications, Published online: 02 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-72328-5 Synthetic cells with tardigrade protein CAHS12 mimic desiccation survival by stabilizing membranes. This study uncovers how CAHS12 preserves cell structure and suggests new applications in biomanufacturing and adaptive biointerfaces.