SpudCell Synthetic System Shows Complete Cell Cycle in Lab

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have assembled a synthetic cell-like system, SpudCell, using only non-living chemical ingredients. The development provides a new approach to building cell systems from the ground up, rather than modifying existing living cells.

SpudCell is designed to perform a full cell cycle, which includes genome replication, growth, resource intake, genetically programmed division, and selection over multiple generations. The system demonstrates the ability to undergo selection and competition when genetic changes are introduced.

The synthetic genome of SpudCell measures about 90 kilobase pairs and is distributed across seven different DNA plasmids. This organization supports the system’s ability to replicate and divide in a controlled laboratory setting.

SpudCell relies on ribosomes and other molecular machinery provided from outside the system, as it does not have the capability to produce its own protein synthesis components. The system was created using a bottom-up strategy, assembling non-living parts into a functional unit.

What the numbers show

• SpudCell’s genome is approximately 90 kilobase pairs in size
• The genome is organized on seven separate plasmids
• Selection experiments ran for five generations

During laboratory experiments, a genetic modification that increased production of a fusion protein led to a faster-growing SpudCell variant. Over five generations, this variant outcompeted the original version, demonstrating the system’s ability to support selection and competition.

The research group also established Biotic, a public-benefit organization, to provide shared resources for synthetic cell engineering. This initiative is intended to keep the research infrastructure accessible to participants worldwide.

The results of the SpudCell experiments have been made available as a preprint on bioRxiv. According to the available information, these findings have not yet been peer reviewed.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.