A China-led international research team has released Asia’s first 10-year technology roadmap for synthetic cells, outlining key scientific goals and challenges in the field. The roadmap was published in Nature Biotechnology and involved more than 100 laboratories from six Asian countries.
Synthetic cells are artificially created single-cell systems built using biological materials such as proteins, DNA, and phospholipids. Researchers say the field aims to create artificial cells capable of performing basic life functions.
The roadmap highlights four major challenges, including maintaining metabolism, regenerating ribosomes, and coordinating complex cell mechanisms. To support research, scientists proposed an AI-powered “biofoundry” system that would allow countries to collaborate on design, synthesis, and testing.
Over the next decade, researchers aim to first develop primitive synthetic cells with stable structures, and later create autonomous cells capable of repeated growth and division cycles. Scientists say the roadmap is an important step toward eventually developing self-replicating synthetic cells and strengthening international cooperation in the field.
Credit : CGTN
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