About this episode

Scientists have created a synthetic cell that can replicate, raising questions about the nature of life and its implications for the future.

Episode 382 Scientists have created a synthetic cell with just 36 genes that can copy DNA and replicate. In an attempt to create a “minimal cell”, a team led by professor Kate Adamala have built “SpudCell” from the ground up, using non-living components. But is it alive - and is it dangerous? Despite being able to carry out some of the tasks of a normal cell, it’s not clear that it’s capable of evolution - yet. But it is a major breakthrough in the field and could pave the way for the creation of artificial life in the future. Researchers have made their work open source so the next breakthrough can be fasttracked - and hope it will help provide a solution to the climate crisis by replacing the need for petrochemicals. To discuss the news - and its implications for the origin of life - Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by New Scientist reporter Michael Le Page. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Rowan Hooper

Guests: Penny Sarchet, Michael Le Page

Topics covered

• synthetic biology
• artificial life
• DNA replication
• minimal cell
• climate crisis

Keywords

• synthetic cell
• replication
• artificial life
• minimal cell
• climate crisis
• DNA
• Kate Adamala
• SpudCell

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New Scientist

Products: SpudCell

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