Artificial Cell Created: Capable of Eating, Growing, Replicating, and Competing

Scientists have unveiled the first artificial cell that implements a complete cell cycle, including feeding, growing, and replicating.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota announced the results of their artificial cell system, dubbed SpudCell, on July 1 (local time) through BioTick, a U.S.-based non-profit open-source research organization.

The paper has not yet undergone peer review.

The system consists of 36 purified enzymes, a genome of 90,000 base pairs divided into seven separate DNA plasmids, and a lipid membrane surrounding them.

Unlike previous minimal cell research methods that involved stripping down existing living cells, this system features a bottom-up structure that assembles individual non-living chemical components from scratch.

SpudCell has fully implemented a cell cycle in which it grows on its own, replicates its genes, divides across generations, and even undergoes natural selection and competition.

The research team explained, "This is the first time that the entire cycle of a living cell has functioned in a system built from scratch, rather than by shrinking an already living organism," adding that in theory, SpudCell could be custom-designed to produce various products.

They added, "This research will pioneer an entirely new field of study," and "Ultimately, in the distant future, it could become the foundation for new therapeutics, advanced materials, food, and carbon removal technologies."

The goal of SpudCell is to revolutionize industrial production by acting as a "micro-biological factory" that manufactures eco-friendly materials needed for various products, ranging from pharmaceuticals to plastics.

Bioengineering-based microorganisms are already being used to produce products such as insulin and biodegradable plastics.

Dr. Kate Adamala, the lead researcher of the SpudCell project, told the Financial Times (FT), "We need to be able to manufacture things in a way that doesn't hurt the planet, and in a way that is actually renewable."

Dr. Adamala emphasized the significance of the research, stating, "There are enough atoms on Earth; we just need to move those atoms around in a more sustainable and distributed way."

The research team identified future improvements for SpudCell, including reducing dependence on external food sources, refining the replication mechanism, and building the capacity to manufacture its own protein synthesis machinery.

The patent for SpudCell is owned by the University of Minnesota, and an exclusive license has been granted to BioTick, which is pushing for the collaborative construction of essential artificial cell infrastructure.

The University of Minnesota plans to provide the research results in an open-source format to prevent large corporations from monopolizing the patent for profit and to allow researchers worldwide to use it freely, contributing to the advancement of all humanity.

Some in the academic community have expressed concerns about the possibility of artificial cells leaking and causing unexpected consequences, or being used as a means to harm humanity, such as in biochemical weapons.

Experts point out that safety measures, such as ethical guidelines and engineering standards, must be established to ensure that new technologies do not negatively affect the evolution of the natural ecosystem or be misused.

(Photo: BioTick capture, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.