Segun Adebayo, Author at Tribune Online

In what appears to be a breakthrough comprehensive review, US-based researcher Oluwatobi Yusuf has highlighted the remarkable progress and future potential of minimal cells in various fields, including medicine, biotechnology, and environmental science.** Minimal cells, defined as compartment-based systems containing the fewest necessary molecular components to display the essential features of living cells, are becoming increasingly feasible due to recent advancements in synthetic biology. Oluwatobi’s review, emphasised the significance of these developments, suggesting that the creation of living cells from inanimate components is now within reach. He states, “Recent progress in the formulation of minimal cells, ranging from simple protocells and synthetic cells to cell-mimic particles, suggests that the construction of living life is now feasible.” The study of cells dates back to Robert Hooke's discovery in 1665, with the formal cell theory proposed in 1839 by Matthias Jakob Schleiden and Theodor Schwann. This theory posited that cells are the basic structural and functional units of all known living organisms. “Modern cell biology is not satisfied with just investigating the structure, functions, and working principles of cells,” Oluwatobi explains. “Research has expanded into many new areas, such as the origin of life, cell engineering, biotechnology, biofactories, medicine, and more.” The inherent complexity and fragility of biological cells pose significant challenges, leading researchers to develop artificial cells. Oluwatobi notes, “To overcome these issues while still mimicking biological cells, artificial cells are built, which are expected to be more easily controlled and more robust than natural cells.” The concept of artificial cells, first proposed by Dr. Thomas Ming Swi Chang in 1957, provides a biomimetic system to study biological properties with minimal interference from cellular complexity. Oluwatobi would later classify artificial cells into two main categories: typical and non-typical. Typical artificial cells, also known as full-sense artificial cells, should exhibit key characteristics of living cells, such as the ability to evolve, self-reproduce, and metabolise. Non-typical artificial cells, or cell mimics, according to the researcher, replicate some features of biological cells without structural restrictions. “The ultimate goal is to construct artificial cells that can be considered ‘alive’,” Oluwatobi asserted. The construction of typical artificial cells is a cornerstone of synthetic biology, serving multiple purposes such as investigating cellular life, bridging the non-living and living worlds, and adding new functions for innovative applications. According to Oluwatobi, “typical artificial cells should ideally have similar structures and essential properties as living cells.” Minimal cells require three main components: a stable, semi-permeable membrane, genetic material (DNA or RNA), and metabolic pathways. These elements are crucial for maintaining essential life functions. Oluwatobi acknowledges the challenges but remains optimistic, stating, “Although an artificial cell that possesses all the basic properties of a living cell has not been created so far, recent advancements indicate that it is now a realistic goal.” Two fundamental approaches are utilised to construct artificial cells: top-down and bottom-up. The top-down approach involves simplifying existing organisms by reducing their genome, while the bottom-up approach assembles cells from biological and non-biological molecules. Oluwatobi explains, “These two approaches are very different but complementary, fabricating a broad range of artificial cells, from simple protocells to engineered living life.” Looking ahead, the potential applications of minimal cells are vast and transformative. Oluwatobi predicts significant advancements in synthetic biology, particularly with the work of the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI). “This new breakthrough in synthetic biology will bring a new approach to understanding biology and will later become beneficial to biotechnology companies, enabling them to produce synthetic microbes that generate new, cheaper, and better bio-products,” he stated. Oluwatobi envisions a future where minimal cells have wide-ranging uses, from identifying essential genes and engineering resilient plants to producing pharmaceuticals and clean energy. He concludes, “The potential benefits that artificial cells may bring include providing a plausible theory for the origin of life, a less-interfering way to investigate cellular life, connecting the non-living to the living world, and biomedical applications such as drug delivery or medical imaging.” In summary, Oluwatobi Yusuf’s review underscores the remarkable progress and future potential of minimal cells, marking a significant milestone in synthetic biology. The construction of artificial cells not only enhances our understanding of life but also opens up new possibilities for medical, environmental, and biotechnological advancements.

Segun Adebayo

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