The synthetic cell is capable of consuming nutrients, growing, and reproducing through cell division features previously associated only with living organisms. According to a report by CNN, the research was led by Professor Kate Adamala and her team at the University of Minnesota.
The researchers built the synthetic cell step by step by combining carefully selected chemicals and molecules. Unlike cells found in plants or animals, this artificial cell resembles a simple bacterium in appearance and function.
Professor Adamala explained that every component inside the synthetic cell is fully understood by the research team.
"We know exactly what has been added to the cell and in what quantities, which means we can deliberately modify and redesign it for different purposes," she said.
Scientists believe this technology could revolutionize medicine by making it easier to develop new drugs and improve treatments for serious diseases such as cancer.
Commenting on the breakthrough, Professor Yuval Elani of Imperial College London, who was not involved in the study, said that building a cell entirely from scratch allows scientists to move beyond nature s existing limitations.
"This gives us the opportunity to design systems that natural cells either cannot perform or perform less efficiently," he noted. Researchers described the achievement as a major milestone in the long-standing scientific effort to determine whether life-like systems can be assembled from simple chemical components.
The artificial cell has been named "SPUD Cell," inspired by the famous Sputnik satellite. According to the study, the synthetic cell contains only 150 to 200 molecular components, compared with the millions or even billions of molecules found in natural cells.
The SPUD Cell divides approximately every 12 hours, while common bacteria such as E. coli can reproduce in about 30 minutes. Although the synthetic cell can grow and divide, scientists emphasized that it does not possess the complete internal structure of a natural cell. Instead, it relies on its own proteins to carry out cell division.
Researchers stressed that the SPUD Cell is not a fully living organism, but it provides valuable insights into how life may have first emerged on Earth.
The team also addressed safety concerns, stating that the artificial cell cannot spread disease or be used as a biological threat in its current form. It survives only under carefully controlled laboratory conditions and depends on nutrients supplied by scientists. Outside the laboratory environment, it would quickly cease to function.
Many experts have praised the research as a significant advance in synthetic biology. Professor Tom Ellis of Imperial College London described it as "one of the most significant breakthroughs in the field of synthetic cells in recent years."
Scientists believe that future versions of synthetic cells could be engineered to deliver targeted medical treatments, capture carbon dioxide, manufacture valuable chemicals, or perform other specialized tasks.
However, experts also caution that as synthetic cell technology advances, careful attention must be paid to ethical, safety, and regulatory considerations to prevent potential misuse.
