Adamala 2026 preprint demonstrates synthetic cell completing growth, DNA replication and division from defined nonliving components
A bottom-up synthetic cell now executes the core cell-cycle steps of growth, replication and fission using a fully specified parts list. The system remains dependent on continuous external feeding and lacks metabolism or homeostasis. It supplies a testable chassis for measuring minimal requirements for autonomous replication.
The construct uses a minimal transcription-translation system, lipid synthesis enzymes and a circular DNA template inside a phospholipid vesicle. Division occurs after DNA duplication and membrane expansion triggered by internal protein production. No ribosomes or nutrients are synthesized internally; external supply is required at each cycle. The work remains a preprint and lacks peer review or independent replication.
Adamala: autonomous metabolism without external ribosome feeding demonstrated in a closed system by Q4 2028
Sources (2)
- [1]Adamala et al. 2026 preprint(https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2026.06.28.650123)
- [2]Szostak lab minimal vesicle protocols(https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-023-01234-5)