Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Researchers have engineered an artificial cell out of chemicals and biomolecules that, at a basic level, can eat, grow, duplicate its own genetic code, and reproduce itself. The cell, dubbed SpudCell, is aimed at creating a chassis that can be adapted to create biological factories for the chemicals humans rely on for modern life, from fuels to pharmaceuticals. But it also raises the question of what it means for something to be “alive.”
Synthetic biologist Kate Adamala joins Host Ira Flatow to talk about the technological advance, the possibilities for the artificial cell, and a nonprofit organization she hopes will allow the SpudCell to spark an innovation in biotechnology.
Guest:
Dr. Kate Adamala is a synthetic biologist and an associate professor of genetics, cell biology, and development at the University of Minnesota.
Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com (sciencefriday.com/segments/artificial-cell-eats-grows-reproduces-life?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri?) . (sciencefriday.com/segments/omb-rule-change-politicize-science-grant-funding/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri)
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YouTube Thumbnail Credit: Orion Venero, Adamala Lab
Pictured: A SpudCell - a synthetic cell assembled entirely from non-living chemical components -encapsulating a whole genome.
SpudCell - a synthetic cell assembled entirely from non-living chemical components - encapsulating a whole genome.
Researchers have engineered an artificial cell out of chemicals and biomolecules that, at a basic level, can eat, grow, duplicate its own genetic code, and reproduce itself. The cell, dubbed SpudCell, is aimed at creating a chassis that can be adapted to create biological factories for the chemicals humans rely on for modern life, from fuels to pharmaceuticals. But it also raises the question of what it means for something to be “alive.”
Synthetic biologist Kate Adamala joins Host Ira Flatow to talk about the technological advance, the possibilities for the artificial cell, and a nonprofit organization she hopes will allow the SpudCell to spark an innovation in biotechnology.
Guest:
Dr. Kate Adamala is a synthetic biologist and an associate professor of genetics, cell biology, and development at the University of Minnesota.
Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com (sciencefriday.com/segments/artificial-cell-eats-grows-reproduces-life?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri?) . (sciencefriday.com/segments/omb-rule-change-politicize-science-grant-funding/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri)
Subscribe to this podcast. (pod.link/73329284) Follow our show on Instagram (instagram.com/scifri/) , TikTok (tiktok.com/@scifri) , Facebook (facebook.com/scifri) , and Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/scifri.bsky.social) @scifri and sign up for our newsletters (sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri) . Got a science question that’s keeping you up at night? Call us: 877-472-4374 (about:invalid#zCSafez)
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
YouTube Thumbnail Credit: Orion Venero, Adamala Lab
Pictured: A SpudCell - a synthetic cell assembled entirely from non-living chemical components -encapsulating a whole genome.
SpudCell - a synthetic cell assembled entirely from non-living chemical components - encapsulating a whole genome.
