University of Minnesota creates first nutrient-feeding synthetic cell

The University of Minnesota announced the creation of synthetic cells that can feed, grow and divide, according to a report by The New York Times. The cells were constructed from nonliving chemical components and demonstrated the ability to ingest nutrients from their environment. They increased in size, reproduced and were observed to compete with one another, which the outlet described as a major advance in synthetic biology. CNN later reported that the work was led by synthetic biologist Kate Adamala.

Adamala’s team assembled a minimal cell that not only consumes nutrients but also divides and remains viable for several generations. The researchers said the cell’s sustained replication across generations confirms its functional similarity to living organisms. The breakthrough has been hailed as a milestone for the field.