Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created what they describe as the first fully synthetic cell built from scratch, marking a significant advance in synthetic biology. The cell can feed, grow, and reproduce using entirely lab-manufactured DNA, rather than relying on components extracted from living organisms.
The synthetic cells, called SpudCells, were assembled entirely from chemical compounds in the laboratory. Unlike previous efforts that modified existing cells or transplanted synthetic genomes into natural cell structures, this approach constructed every component from the ground up. The researchers designed synthetic DNA sequences to provide basic functions, then combined them with other lab-made molecules to create a functioning biological system.
The cells are built around tiny water-filled spheres called liposomes, which are a few thousandths of a millimetre wide. A small amount of synthetic DNA was added to provide basic cellular functions. To grow, SpudCells fuse with smaller feeder liposomes that contain molecules, enzymes, and ribosomes needed to make proteins. The cell's genome carries instructions to copy itself and divide.
Dr Kate Adamala, who led the research, said the work demonstrates "proof of principle that molecules can reconstitute behaviours that up until now we only associated with natural living cells." However, she acknowledged that the synthetic cells are not as robust, fast, or capable as natural cells.
The synthetic cells do perform fundamental life processes including growth and division. They can feed on nutrients in their environment and replicate, two defining characteristics of life. The researchers even demonstrated that SpudCells with a genetic growth advantage could outcompete original versions, mimicking evolutionary survival of the fittest.
Despite these achievements, SpudCells have significant limitations. They depend entirely on the liquid environment in which they exist and cannot build their own protein-making machinery, control their metabolism, or clear waste. When they divide, they often pass on incorrect amounts of DNA, and they typically stop functioning after a few generations.
The achievement opens potential applications in medicine, manufacturing, and environmental science. Synthetic cells could potentially be engineered to produce drugs, manufacture chemicals, or create other materials in ways that natural organisms cannot.
The research also provides insights into the minimal requirements for life itself. By building a cell from the ground up, scientists can identify which components and processes are truly essential.
Adamala and collaborators are launching an institution called Biotic to advance the work further. Prof Drew Endy, a co-founder at Stanford University, described the goal as building "an operating system for life" made from genes and biochemistry. The study was released as a preprint before peer review, allowing other laboratories to examine the findings promptly.