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SpudCell

A SpudCell is a type of artificial cell claimed as capable of metabolism and assisted reproduction. The New York Times published similar claims, describing SpudCells as "hav[ing] most of the hallmarks of life."[1][2] No report on SpudCells has been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

History

SpudCells were announced to the public on July 1, 2026 in a preprint.[3] Dr. Kate Adamala of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, leader of the team that created SpudCells, had previously submitted a paper to Cell, but it was "rejected... after one reviewer said SpudCells were not real biology."[4] John Glass of the J. Craig Venter Institute described their creation as "a landmark event in the history of biology."[5] The preprint submitted by Adamala's team stated that SpudCells took five researcher-years to develop.[5]

SpudCells were so named as an homage to Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, as well as in reference to their "potato-like appearance."[6][1]

Description

SpudCells have an extremely short genome of only 36 genes. Some of the genetic material came from E. coli[1], while other parts came from DNA viruses T7 and Phi29.[7] The cells were created in a "soup" (growth medium) containing biological molecules, to which "the building blocks of membranes" were added; these enclosed some of the soup, in some cases containing the right mix to begin metabolic action.[1] SpudCells have the genes to make ribosomes, but for unclear reasons do not make them. Ribosomes taken from E. coli, when added to the SpudCells, function for a time before ceasing.[1] SpudCells can neither regulate their metabolisms nor eliminate waste.[8]

SpudCells are also incapable of dividing on their own. Division has been accomplished in the lab by adding streptavidin for single division events and the use of a mechanical separating mesh for subsequent ones.[4] Evolutionary competition was also demonstrated artificially, by genetically engineering a version of SpudCells that acquire food more efficiently and having them compete for the same food supply as the original strain. The engineered version comprised a greater quantity of SpudCells when the experiment was complete, suggesting the improved version was out-competing the original.[1][4]

The researchers claimed that SpudCells could "feed, grow and replicate." The growth medium also contains nucleotide bases and liposomes which contain transfer RNA derived from E. coli, sugars, lipids, and enzymes. SpudCells divide using a mechanism that does not involve a cytoskeleton.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Carl Zimmer and Marco Hernandez (2026-07-01). "This Cell Feeds, Grows and Reproduces. And It's Manmade". The New York Times. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  2. ^ "Synthetic Cell Completes Genetically Encoded Cell Cycle | Roseanna Zia posted on the topic". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  3. ^ Gaut, Nathaniel J.; Deich, Christopher; Cash, Brock; Hoog, Tanner; Engelhart, Aaron E.; Adamala, Katarzyna P. (July 2, 2026). "A Chemically Defined Synthetic Cell Capable Of Growth And Replication". bioRxiv 10.64898/2026.07.01.735724.
  4. ^ a b c Kupferschmidt, Kai (2026-07-01). "Lab-created 'SpudCell' marks 'stunning' step toward building life from scratch". science.org. Science. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  5. ^ a b "Scientists have built a cell from the ground up". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  6. ^ a b Hunt, Katie (2026-07-01). "Scientists say they have built a basic component of life from scratch | CNN". CNN. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  7. ^ Timmer, John (2026-07-02). "Artificial cell manages a few rounds of cell division". arstechnica.com. Ars Technica. Retrieved 2026-07-08.
  8. ^ Sample, Ian (2026-07-01). "'Beautiful blobs': synthetic life a step closer as scientists make cells using lab-made DNA". The Guardian. Retrieved 2026-07-02.

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