Abstract
Build-a-Cell is a global network of researchers that aims to develop synthetic living cells within the next decade. These cells will revolutionize the biotechnology industry by providing scientists and engineers with a more complete understanding of biology. Researchers can already replicate many cellular functions individually, but combining them into a single cell remains a significant challenge. This integration step will require the type of large-scale collaboration made possible by Build-a-Cell’s open, collective structure. Beyond the lab, Build-a-Cell addresses policy issues and biosecurity concerns associated with synthetic cells. The following review discusses Build-a-Cell’s history, function, and goals.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1176 |
| Journal | Life |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the National Science Foundation Research Coordination Network award 1901145. We thank Marileen Dogterom, Drew Endy, John Glass, Anton Jackson-Smith, Richard Murray and Elibio Rech for interviews.
Funding Information:
Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation Research Coordination Network award 1901145.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Keywords
- Artificial life
- Bioengineering
- Cell-free
- Liposomes
- Synthetic biology
- Synthetic cells