title: Progress toward synthetic cells.
abstract: The complexity of even the simplest known life forms makes efforts to synthesize living cells from inanimate components seem like a daunting task. However, recent progress toward the creation of synthetic cells, ranging from simple protocells to artificial cells approaching the complexity of bacteria, suggests that the synthesis of life is now a realistic goal. Protocell research, fueled by advances in the biophysics of primitive membranes and the chemistry of nucleic acid replication, is providing new insights into the origin of cellular life. Parallel efforts to construct more complex artificial cells, incorporating translational machinery and protein enzymes, are providing information about the requirements for protein-based life. We discuss recent advances and remaining challenges in the synthesis of artificial cells, the possibility of creating new forms of life distinct from existing biology, and the promise of this research for gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of living systems.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; email: craig@jcraigblain.com , szostak@molbio.mgh.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: J Craig
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Blain
authors.forename: Jack W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Szostak
mesh_terms: D058045:Artificial Cells; D001695:Biology / Q000379:methods; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D004261:DNA Replication; D019020:Directed Molecular Evolution; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008274:Magnesium / Q000737:chemistry; D008954:Models, Biological; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000235:genetics; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D016337:RNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D009711:Nucleotides; D010743:Phospholipids; D011506:Proteins; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D008274:Magnesium
keywords: artificial life; evolution; origin of life; protocells; self-replication