Darwinian chemistry: towards the synthesis of a simple cell.
The total synthesis of a simple cell is in many ways the ultimate challenge in synthetic biology. Outlined eight years ago in a visionary article by Szostak et al. (J. W. Szostak, D. P. Bartel and P. L. Luisi, Nature, 2001, 409, 387), the chances of success seemed remote. However, recent progress in nucleic acid chemistry, directed evolution and membrane biophysics have brought the prospect of a simple synthetic cell with life-like properties such as growth, division, heredity and evolution within reach. Success in this area will not only revolutionize our understanding of abiogenesis but provide a fertile test-bed for models of prebiotic chemistry and early evolution. Last but not least, a robust "living" protocell may provide a versatile and safe chassis for embedding synthetic devices and systems.
Loakes
David
D
Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
Holliger
Philipp
P
D001669:Biochemical Phenomena; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D004261:DNA Replication; D004798:Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
D004798:Enzymes; D009696:Nucleic Acids