Overview
- This week the University of Minnesota team published a preprint describing SpudCell, a bottom-up system assembled from liposomes, synthetic DNA, purified enzymes and other defined molecules that the authors say can feed, grow, copy its genome and divide.
- SpudCell depends on externally supplied ribosomes and nutrient 'feeder' liposomes, contains a small ~90 kilobase-pair genome split across seven plasmids, and can reproduce reliably only for a few generations under controlled lab conditions.
- The researchers showed simple selection inside the system by introducing a genetic change that made variants grow faster and outcompete the original population after about five generations.
- The team launched Biotic, a public-benefit group to share protocols and standards so other labs can reproduce and extend the platform, while stressing that major engineering steps are needed for autonomy, genome stability and longer-term evolution.
- Experts praise the technical advance but are divided on whether SpudCell qualifies as 'alive'; commentators and the authors emphasize the need for independent replication, peer review, biosafety checks and years of work before practical applications are possible.