University of Minnesota researchers create synthetic cell that can grow and divide

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a synthetic cell capable of growing and dividing.

The team started with a liposome — a tiny bubble made of fats — as the cell’s outer structure. Inside, they placed PURE, a protein-making system that contains all the machinery needed to turn DNA into proteins.

The synthetic DNA inside the cell was made up of 90,000 base pairs.Scientists say the breakthrough is a step toward building artificial cells from the ground up. A cell that can grow and divide on its own could help advance research in medicine, biomanufacturing, and understanding the basics of life.

The team is now working to make the synthetic cells more stable and able to sustain multiple rounds of division.