Cell-free microcompartmentalised transcription–translation for the prototyping of synthetic communication networks

•Cell-free transcription and translation systems are used for testing and facilitating the implementation of novel circuits in cells.•Cell-free transcription and translation systems can be encapsulated in microcompartments.•Microcompartments are used to study gene expression in a physicochemical environment and at a scale close to those of the cell.•Microcompartments are capable of communication with cells and other artificial cells and can be used to prototype novel communication channels.