
Full text loading...
The complexity of even the simplest known life forms makes efforts to synthesize living cells from inanimate components seem like a daunting task. However, recent progress toward the creation of synthetic cells, ranging from simple protocells to artificial cells approaching the complexity of bacteria, suggests that the synthesis of life is now a realistic goal. Protocell research, fueled by advances in the biophysics of primitive membranes and the chemistry of nucleic acid replication, is providing new insights into the origin of cellular life. Parallel efforts to construct more complex artificial cells, incorporating translational machinery and protein enzymes, are providing information about the requirements for protein-based life. We discuss recent advances and remaining challenges in the synthesis of artificial cells, the possibility of creating new forms of life distinct from existing biology, and the promise of this research for gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of living systems.
Article metrics loading...
Full text loading...
Data & Media loading...
Supplemental Figure 1. Structures of base pairs, nucleotides and nucleic acids discussed in this review.
(a) Structures of nucleic acid backbones, including 3′,5′-linked RNA and DNA, 2′,5′-linked RNA, threose nucleic acid (TNA), peptide nucleic acid (PNA), 3′-amino-2′,3′-dideoxyribose nucleic acid (3′-NP-DNA), 2′-amino-2′,3′-dideoxyribose nucleic acid (2′-NP-DNA), pyranosyl-RNA (p-RNA), altritol nucleic acid (ANA), and hexitol nucleic acid (HNA). (b) Structures of activated nucleotides, including nucleotide triphosphate (NTP), 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide monophosphate (2′,3′-cNMP), nucleoside 5′-phosphor-2-methylimidazolide (2-MeImpN), and nucleoside 5′-phosphoroxyazabenzotriazolide (OAtpN). (c) Structures of base pairs, including guanine (G)–cytosine (C), adenine (A)–uracil (U), A–2-thiouracil (U2S), the G–U wobble pair, and diaminopurine (D)–5-propynyluracil (UP).
Download Supplemental Figure 1 as a PDF.