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A team at the University of Minnesota has developed the world's first synthetic cell with a complete life cycle, built entirely from non-living chemical components. BioTechnology Institute (BTI) Associate Professor Kate Adamala, PhD, and collaborators call their project SpudCell. “This is likely the most exciting project I've ever worked on,” said Adamala. “We’ve replicated in chemistry what only used to be possible in biology: the complete set of behaviors of a cell. It proves that the most fundamental functions of life, like growth and replication, do not need a mysterious magical spark.” BTI is a Consortium member center.