SpudCell: A Synthetic Life Experiment | Science News

Scientists at the University of Minnesota have built the SpudCell — a synthetic cell that eats, grows, and divides, mimicking a full cellular life cycle. Though it’s made from non-living parts and relies on borrowed bacterial ribosomes to function, it’s sparking debate about what makes something truly alive. After just five generations, the SpudCell starts to fail as its borrowed protein factories degrade and become unevenly distributed during division. While not yet self-sustaining, researchers see potential in its ability to deliver drugs or aid diagnostics — and more importantly, as a powerful tool to unravel the very definition of life. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/020fcd74a7408893