Artificial Cells Are Coming to Life!
Scientists have successfully engineered artificial cells that can carry out basic cellular functions and survive.
Living cells are very complex. This makes building artificial organisms from scratch a difficult challenge. However, a team of scientists recently reported a new approach to overcoming this challenge.
Want to learn more about these artificial cells? Here are some supplemental readings:
What did they do?
The team placed fragments of bacterial cells onto a polymer scaffold and then supplied the complex with materials for cell growth. After a period of time, they observed that the DNA and proteins in the artificial cell had reorganized into basic cellular structures, such as the nucleus. Eventually, the cell carried out simple cellular functions that are essential for survival.
Why is this finding important?
This brand-new method takes scientists one step closer toward the creation of life-like systems for future industrial and research use.