Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed synthetic cells called 'SpudCells.' These cells are able to perform basic biological activities, such as growing and replicating.

明尼蘇達大學的研究人員開發了稱為「SpudCells」的合成細胞。這些細胞能夠執行基本的生物活動，例如生長和複製。

The team created SpudCells by placing synthetic DNA inside small fat-based bubbles called liposomes. Unlike earlier versions of synthetic life, these cells were built from scratch to ensure that every chemical part is known. However, these systems cannot survive on their own; they require an external environment filled with energy (ATP) and special 'feeder' liposomes that provide the necessary proteins and enzymes to function.

該團隊透過將合成 DNA 置入稱為「脂質體」的小型脂肪泡中，創造出 SpudCells。與早期的合成生命版本不同，這些細胞是從零開始構建的，以確保每個化學組成部分都已知。然而，這些系統無法獨立生存；它們需要一個充滿能量（ATP）的外部環境，以及特殊的「餵食」脂質體來提供運作所需的蛋白質和酶。

In terms of performance, the researchers showed that these synthetic cells can complete a full life cycle, including copying their DNA and dividing. Furthermore, they observed that some genetic versions grew faster than others, meaning they could evolve. Despite these successes, the cells are still simple. They cannot manage their own energy, they have no way to remove waste, and their DNA often becomes unstable, which causes them to stop working after a few cycles.

在性能方面，研究人員證明這些合成細胞可以完成完整的生命週期，包括複製 DNA 和分裂。此外，他們觀察到某些基因版本生長速度比其他版本快，這意味著它們能夠進化。儘管取得了這些成功，但這些細胞仍然很簡單。它們無法管理自身的能量，沒有清除廢物的方法，且其 DNA 經常變得不穩定，導致它們在經過幾個週期後停止運作。

Experts have different opinions about this discovery. Professor Tom Ellis from Imperial College London emphasized that this work provides a useful way to study the minimum requirements for life. On the other hand, Professor John Dupré from the University of Exeter argued that these cells might be less useful for industrial work than modified bacteria, as they lack the complex relationships found in natural biology.

專家對此發現持有不同意見。倫敦帝國學院的 Tom Ellis 教授強調，這項工作為研究生命的最低要求提供了一種有用的方法。另一方面，埃克塞特大學的 John Dupré 教授則認為，由於缺乏自然生物學中的複雜關係，這些細胞在工業應用上的實用性可能低於基因改造細菌。

The project has led to the creation of Biotic, a public benefit company that aims to standardize this 'operating system for life' for scientists worldwide.

該項目促成了 Biotic 公司的成立，這是一家公益公司，旨在為全球科學家將這套「生命操作系統」標準化。