In brief
Researchers have built a synthetic cell that copies its DNA and divides, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing a preprint. The result could advance biotechnology, but division stops after only a few cycles.
The synthetic cell SpudCell can produce proteins, copy its own DNA and divide to form new cells, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing research published on a preprint server. Built from non-living components, it requires a continuous external supply of nutrients.
According to the report, SpudCell has a fatty-molecule membrane enclosing a watery interior with 36 genes and specialised proteins. Its genome is split into seven circular segments called plasmids. The researchers acknowledge that replication remains imperfect, and the cells cannot make their own ribosomes.
RBC-Ukraine identifies University of Minnesota biologist Kate Adamala as the developer and reports that she does not yet consider SpudCell fully alive: it lacks sufficient stability and stops dividing after a few cycles. Biotechnology applications remain a prospect. The report does not specify when the experiments took place or when the preprint was published.
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