Scientists Create First Synthetic Cell with Complete Life Cycle
Researchers at the University of Minnesota, led by synthetic biologist Kate Adamala, have built a synthetic cell called SpudCell from non-living chemicals. It can feed, grow, replicate its genome, and divide for about five generations, marking the first synthetic cell with a complete cell cycle. The fragile prototype contains only 36 genes and is far simpler than natural cells. The breakthrough could advance understanding of life’s origins and enable programmable organisms for applications like cancer treatments and carbon capture. The research is under peer review, and the team founded a nonprofit to share the technology.
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New synthetic cell can eat, grow, divide
Researchers from the University of Minnesota have created a synthetic cell capable of eating, growing, and dividing. The cell was built starting from a liposome (a fat bubble) containing a protein-making system called PURE, which translates DNA into proteins. The cell's DNA, consisting of 90,000 base pairs, instructed it to produce alpha-hemolysin, a protein that acts as a hook to capture feeder liposomes for nutrients. As the cell grew, it used the enzyme Phi29 to copy its genome. Division was initially achieved mechanically, then biologically engineered by crowding proteins on the surface to create pressure that splits the membrane. The researchers also demonstrated natural selection by introducing a mutation that allowed some cells to eat more efficiently, leading to their dominance in the population. The work challenges vitalist notions of life, according to a University of Exeter professor.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Researchers Create Artificial Cells That Can Reproduce, Marking Major Step Toward Synthetic Life
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created artificial cells from non-living components that can reproduce and undergo evolutionary development, fulfilling key definitions of life. The synthetic cells, called SpudCell, consist of 36 enzymes and a 90,000 base-pair genome enclosed in a lipid membrane. Unlike previous approaches that stripped down natural cells, SpudCell was assembled from purified components, allowing maximum control. Lead author Kate Adamala says the breakthrough enables understanding of life's fundamental framework and could allow production of chemicals, drugs, and materials that are toxic to natural cells. The work represents a significant advance in synthetic biology, moving closer to the long-held vision of creating life in the laboratory.
Nachrichten - WELTNew synthetic cells tiptoe toward creating life
Scientists at the University of Minnesota announced the creation of synthetic cells called SpudCells, built from non-living chemicals, that can feed, grow, divide, and replicate genetic material. Lead researcher Kate Adamala named them after Sputnik and because she is 'mostly made of potatoes.' The team claims this is the first synthetic cell to achieve a complete cell cycle. The New York Times called it a major step toward understanding the chemical origins of life. CNN described the SpudCell as a limited and fragile prototype with only 36 genes, but one that could help develop new cancer treatments, carbon capture methods, and chemical manufacturing. Futurism noted it may challenge notions of what constitutes life. Computational cell biologist Roseanna Zia highlighted the 'shake-the-ground accomplishment' of the cells competing with each other. As the research undergoes peer review, Adamala and colleagues founded a public-benefit institution to share the SpudCell recipe and collaborate globally.
TheWeek feedScientists Create First Synthetic Cells with Complete Cell Cycle
Researchers at the University of Minnesota announced the creation of synthetic cells, named SpudCells, built entirely from non-living chemicals. These cells can perform key life functions including feeding, growing, dividing, and replicating genetic material, marking the first synthetic cell with a complete cell cycle. Lead researcher Kate Adamala noted the name combines Sputnik and her potato-based diet. The New York Times called it a major step toward understanding how chemicals become life, while CNN described it as a limited but fragile prototype with potential applications in cancer treatments, carbon capture, and chemical manufacturing. Futurism suggested it could challenge definitions of life. Computational cell biologist Roseanna Zia highlighted the groundbreaking ability of SpudCells to compete and evolve. The research is undergoing peer review, and Adamala and colleagues have established a public-benefit institution to share the SpudCell recipe and collaborate globally.
TheWeek feedScientists Create First Synthetic Cells with Complete Cell Cycle
Researchers at the University of Minnesota announced the creation of synthetic cells, named SpudCells, built from non-living chemicals that can perform key life functions including feeding, growing, dividing, and replicating genetic material. Lead researcher Kate Adamala described them as the first synthetic cell with a complete cell cycle. The SpudCell contains only 36 genes and is considered a fragile prototype, but experts view it as a major step toward understanding the origins of life and developing new cancer treatments, carbon capture methods, and chemical manufacturing processes. The breakthrough also raises questions about definitions of life. The research is undergoing peer review, and Adamala and colleagues have established a public-benefit institution to share the SpudCell recipe and collaborate globally.
TheWeek feedScientists Build First Synthetic Cell From Scratch That Grows and Divides
Scientists have announced a major breakthrough in synthetic biology: for the first time, they have created a synthetic cell from scratch that is capable of growing and dividing like a natural living cell. This engineered cell, referred to as 'SpudCell' by some outlets, represents a complete life cycle in a lab-made organism. The achievement is being hailed as a revolutionary step in biological engineering, potentially allowing researchers to solve fundamental questions about life. The development was covered by ScienceAlert, The New York Times, New Scientist, Quanta Magazine, and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, indicating broad scientific and media interest. This could lead to future applications in medicine, biotechnology, and our understanding of life's origins.
Top stories - Google NewsScientists Say They Have Built a Synthetic Cell From Scratch for the First Time
Scientists led by synthetic biologist Kate Adamala at the University of Minnesota have constructed a synthetic cell, named SpudCell, from non-living chemical components. The cell can feed, grow, and replicate for about five generations, though it is described as a fragile prototype far simpler than natural cells. The breakthrough could help understand the origins of life and enable programmable organisms for applications like cancer treatments and carbon capture. The research has not yet been peer-reviewed. Adamala, along with Drew Endy, Jan Jedryszek, and Chris Raggio, founded a public-benefit institution called Biotic to make the synthetic cell available to other researchers. The cell's genome has 90,000 base pairs, compared to E. coli's 4.6 million, and it replicates via protein crowding at the membrane rather than a cytoskeleton.
Hoover InstitutionScientists Say They Have Built a Cell From Scratch for the First Time
Scientists led by synthetic biologist Kate Adamala at the University of Minnesota have constructed a synthetic cell, named SpudCell, from non-living chemical components. The cell can feed, grow, and replicate for about five generations, though it is fragile and far less complex than natural cells. The breakthrough could advance understanding of life's origins and enable programmable organisms for applications like cancer treatments and carbon capture. Adamala, along with Drew Endy, Jan Jedryszek, and Chris Raggio, founded Biotic, a public-benefit institution to make the synthetic cell available to other researchers. The research has not yet been peer-reviewed but represents a milestone in synthetic biology, according to experts.
Hoover InstitutionScientists Say They Have Built a Cell From Scratch for the First Time
Scientists led by synthetic biologist Kate Adamala at the University of Minnesota have constructed a synthetic cell, named SpudCell, entirely from non-living chemical components. The cell can feed, grow, and replicate for about five generations, though it is fragile and far less complex than natural cells. The breakthrough could advance understanding of life's origins and enable programmable organisms for applications like cancer treatments, carbon capture, and chemical manufacturing. Adamala, along with Drew Endy, Jan Jedryszek, and Chris Raggio, founded a public-benefit institution called Biotic to make the synthetic cell available to other researchers. The research has not yet been peer-reviewed but represents a milestone in synthetic biology, according to experts. SpudCell's genome has 90,000 base pairs, compared to E. coli's 4.6 million, and it replicates via a unique mechanism involving protein crowding at the membrane.
Hoover InstitutionThis Cell Feeds, Grows and Reproduces. And It’s Manmade.
Scientists at the University of Minnesota, led by synthetic biologist Kate Adamala, announced a major breakthrough in creating synthetic cells called SpudCells. These manmade cells can feed, grow, reproduce, and compete for food, exhibiting most hallmarks of life. With only 36 genes, SpudCells are far simpler than natural cells. The researchers have founded a nonprofit to further develop the cells, potentially enabling applications like new medicines or carbon dioxide capture. The work is under peer review.
Hoover InstitutionLab-created 'SpudCell' Marks 'Stunning' Step Toward Building Life from Scratch
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, led by synthetic biologist Kate Adamala, have created a synthetic cell prototype called SpudCell. It consists of a microscopic water droplet encased in a fatty membrane, containing chemicals and DNA encoding just 36 genes. The team demonstrated that SpudCell can grow by fusing with other droplets, replicate its genome, and divide, representing the closest achievement yet to building a living cell from scratch. The work was posted online and is considered a significant milestone in synthetic biology, potentially advancing understanding of minimal life and enabling future applications in biotechnology and medicine.
Hoover Institution