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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Preparing Protein Producing Synthetic Cells using Cell Free Bacterial Extracts, Liposomes and Emulsion Transfer
Published on: April 27, 2020
Darwinian chemistry: towards the synthesis of a simple cell
David Loakes1, Philipp Holliger
1Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
Abstract:
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.
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