Scientists build synthetic cell from scratch that can feed, grow and replicate
The cell system uses 36 genes and supplied ribosomes to feed, grow and divide, giving researchers a new platform for synthetic biology.
- On Wednesday, University of Minnesota researchers led by Kate Adamala and Aaron Engelhart announced SpudCell, a synthetic cell assembled from non-living chemicals that can feed, grow, and replicate its genome.
- Constructed with 36 genes across seven DNA plasmids inside an oily liposome, SpudCell mimics life-like functions without an internal cytoskeleton, instead using crowded membrane proteins to force division.
- Each SpudCell requires external feeding of ribosomes and enzymes to function, surviving approximately five to ten generations before protein-making machinery fails, according to the team's preprint report.
- Researchers launched Biotic, a public-benefit institution designed to develop shared infrastructure and transform synthetic cell engineering into a collaborative discipline for producing future medicines, fuels, and advanced materials.
- Synthetic biologist Drew Endy likens the prototype to the Wright brothers' first flight, though experts caution the fragile system remains far from self-sufficient or equivalent to natural biological life.
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'Milestone': Scientists claim to build synthetic cell, raising concerns in step toward artificial life
University of Minnesota scientists say they built the most life-like synthetic cell yet, a system from nonliving components that can grow, divide and demonstrate natural selection.
Scientists Say They've Made Cells That Feed, Grow and Reproduce, Bringing Them One Step Closer to Building Life From Scratch
The human-made cells show many hallmarks of life, but they can't make all their necessary internal structures or divide for that many generations
New synthetic cells tiptoe toward creating life
What happenedScientists at the University of Minnesota Wednesday announced that they created synthetic cells from non-living chemicals that can perform many of the functions of living cells, like feeding, growing, dividing and replicating their genetic material. Lead researcher Kate Adamala said she named them SpudCells after Sputnik but also “because I’m mostly made of potatoes.” Her team said they are the “first synthetic cell with a complete …
Ars Technica
technewstube.comArtificial cell manages a few rounds of cell division
It only works for a few divisions thanks to a lot of added materials.
They are capable of recreating the entire life cycle of an organism. Scientists led by Dr. Kate Adamala from the University of Minnesota have announced the biggest breakthrough in synthetic biology in recent memory. They have assembled artificial cells, dubbed SpudCells, from scratch. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing The Guardian. The anatomy and evolution of SpudCells: how chemistry becomes biology To fully control and understand every …
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