The Science Behind SpudCells

In July 2026, researchers led by Dr. Kate Adamala at the University of Minnesota announced the creation a SpudCell, which can grow, divide, and feed—much like a real cell—and allow scientists to better understand how cells function.

The SpudCell is one of the first successes in many different efforts to create a lifelike cell, though it’s not created using materials that are alive; it is an artificial cell that can divide and compete.

It is also not considered a “real cell,” nor is it considered alive—it is lifelike, but has no cytoskeleton, cannot produce ribosomes, and cannot clean itself (which poisons the cell after five to ten generations)—but it is the closest scientists have come to creating a cell. Because it was built from scratch, it only has thirty-six genes enclosed in a water droplet and a membrane filled with chemicals. In order to divide without a cytoskeleton, proteins crowd together until surface tension leads to splitting, though this process can be highly unstable.

Though a SpudCell is not alive, researchers believe that its few genes can help scientists identify the functions of different genes and study how skeletons are not necessary for cell division. Scientists can also use SpudCells to create specific medicines and proteins because natural cells might “fight back” when being used for complex substances by expelling foreign objects. Scientists can also understand how evolution happened for primitive species, for SpudCells can show some natural selection, competition, and adaptation.

As there are with any new technologies, there are inherent risks with SpudCells, but because they cannot sustain themselves, they should pose a minimal danger. However, they are sparking conversations about how artificial cell technology might or might not be beneficial.