A synthetic cell is an artificial cell that contains no natural components. It is made entirely from man-made materials and can be created in a laboratory setting. Synthetic cells are not alive, but they can mimic some of the functions of living cells, such as producing energy and excreting waste.
The first synthetic cell was created in 2010 by a team of scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute. This cell was made from chemical compounds and had a simplified genetic code. Since then, other synthetic cells have been created with more complex genetic codes. These cells are sometimes called “designer cells” because they can be designed to perform specific tasks. For example, scientists have created synthetic bacteria that can eat oil spills or produce fuel from sunlight.
Synthetic cells could one day be used to create new life forms or to build structures on other planets. They could also be used to create medicines or treatments for diseases that are resistant to traditional therapies. However, there are ethical concerns about creating synthetic life forms, and more research is needed to understand the risks involved before these technologies can be widely used