Division in synthetic cells

The bottom-up construction of a living cell using non-living materials represents a grand challenge in science and technology. Reproduction of cells into similar offspring is key to life, and therefore, building a synthetic cell that can autonomously divide is one of the most fundamental tasks that need to be achieved in bottom-up synthetic biology. In this review, we summarize the strategies of inducing synthetic division by using physical, chemical, and biological stimuli, and highlight the future challenges to the construction of autonomous synthetic cell division.

Automated summary

The bottom-up construction of a living cell using non-living materials is a major challenge in science and technology. Reproduction of cells into similar offspring is crucial for life, and therefore, building a synthetic cell that can autonomously divide is a fundamental task in bottom-up synthetic biology. In this review, we summarize the strategies of inducing synthetic division using physical, chemical, and biological stimuli, and highlight the future challenges in constructing autonomous synthetic cell division.