2026/07/02 by Nathaniel J. Gaut, Christopher Deich, Brock Cash +3 · 2 voices
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #CRISPR and Genetic Engineering #Gene Regulatory Network Analysis #Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
paper · doi:10.64898/2026.07.01.735724
openalex publication_date 2026/07/02 · openalex created_date 2026/07/03 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/14
Abstract Cells are the fundamental unit of life. Yet there is no natural cell for which all its life-essential functions are understood. Here we demonstrate a complete cell cycle for a synthetic cell undergoing selection, with genome replication, growth, resource acquisition via feeding, and genetically encoded division. The cell is encoded via a 90kb genome that includes functions needed for resource uptake, transcription, translation, growth, genome replication, and division. The resulting synthetic cell is sufficiently encouraging to support routinization of synthetic cell engineering workflows, and will ultimately underlie diverse applications across all of biotechnology.