Synthetic biology researchers think they’ve made a cell. Is it alive?

Researchers led by Kate Adamala have developed 'SpudCell,' a fully chemically defined synthetic system that mimics key biological functions of natural cells. Described in a recent preprint, these liposome-based structures are capable of DNA replication and division over multiple generations. This development represents a significant milestone for the synthetic biology sector as it moves toward engineering life from the ground up using known building blocks.

Kate Adamala, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota, and Stanford’s Drew Endy have introduced SpudCell, a synthetic cell-like system constructed from lipid particles known as liposomes. Unlike natural cells, these systems are entirely chemically defined, meaning they contain no unknown biological components. The researchers utilized rings of DNA called plasmids within these liposomes to create a platform that can perform functions previously thought to be exclusive to living organisms.

The SpudCell system demonstrates the ability to divide and replicate its internal DNA code through a controlled chemical process. According to the report, approximately 30% of the liposome bubbles retained the original DNA code after five generations of division. However, the system is not entirely self-sufficient; it requires external inputs of specific enzymes to function and must be 'fed' nutrients that are packaged in separate liposomes to maintain its biological-like activities.

To facilitate the distribution of this technology, Adamala and Endy have co-founded Biotic, a public benefit corporation. The creation of SpudCell has sparked a debate within the scientific community regarding the definition of life, as the system exhibits cell-like properties without being derived from natural biological lineages. For the synthetic biology industry, this advance provides a new framework for engineering biology with precision, potentially leading to more controlled and predictable synthetic organisms for research and industrial applications.