STAT+: Synthetic biology researchers think they’ve made a cell. Is it alive?

STAT PlusIn the Lab Synthetic biology researchers think they’ve made a cell. Is it alive? Described in a preprint, ‘SpudCell’ could be a major advance in the field Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Matthew HerperJuly 1, 2026 Senior Writer, Medicine, Editorial Director of Events Matthew Herper[email protected]Matthew Herper covers medical innovation — both its promise and its perils. Researchers have created what they say may count as the first synthetic cell, and have started a public benefit corporation to share the technology with other scientists. It’s a piece of science that generates as many questions as answers. They are unlike cells in nature, but have cell-like properties that are spurring a debate about whether they might even be considered alive. “What we did is we built a cell-like system that is fully chemically defined, so there are no unknown building blocks in it, and it’s capable of doing things that people up until now used to think only natural living cells can do, and I think it’s important because we need to engineer biology,” said Kate Adamala, the leader of the work.Advertisement To unpack that: Adamala, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota, created tiny bubbles of lipid particles — called liposomes — with rings of DNA called plasmids in them. The little bubbles appear to divide and replicate their DNA, so that after five generations 30% of the bubbles still contain that same DNA code. They need to be fed not just food but a key type of enzyme that is necessary for them to function, and they must be given their food packaged in other liposomes. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, genetics, research, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Matthew Herper Senior Writer, Medicine, Editorial Director of Events Matthew Herper covers medical innovation — both its promise and its perils. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended The Readout July 1, 2026 STAT Plus: More signs that GLP-1s may help with peripheral artery disease Biotech July 1, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA approves Orca Bio’s T cell therapy for blood cancer patients Advertisement Biotech July 1, 2026 STAT Plus: The biotech scorecard for the third quarter: 15 stock-moving events to watch Biotech June 30, 2026 STAT Plus: AI company Anthropic announces it will begin developing drugs of its own Biotech June 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Anthropic releases Claude Science, a product aimed at researchers, the pharma industry Subscriber Picks