science
Researchers Create DNA-Containing Liposomes That Retain Code in 30 % of Cases After Five Generations
A team built liposomes containing plasmids that maintain DNA code across generations. The fully defined system requires enzyme feeding packaged in additional liposomes and led to a public benefit corporation for sharing access.
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Researchers have created a cell-like system of lipid particles called liposomes that contain rings of DNA known as plasmids. The liposomes are fully chemically defined and contain no unknown building blocks. After five generations, 30 percent of the liposomes still hold the same DNA code.
The system requires feeding with a key enzyme necessary for function, and the food must be packaged in other liposomes. Kate Adamala, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota, led the work.
A public benefit corporation was started to share the synthetic cell technology with other scientists. The system is named SpudCell.
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How sources framed this
Chemically defined synthetic cellNatural-component-free system
Defined cellNo unknowns
CorroborationLimited · 2 sources
