Several laboratories are pursuing the synthesis of cellular systems from different directions, including those that begin with simple chemicals to those that exploit existing cells. The methods that begin with nonliving components tend to focus on mimicking specific features of life, such as genomic replication, protein synthesis, sensory systems, and compartment formation, growth, and division. Conversely, the more prevalent synthetic biology approaches begin with something that is already alive and seek to impart new behavior on existing cells. Here we discuss advances in building cell-like systems that mimic key features of life with defined components.

中文翻译：

---

拼凑类细胞系统

几个实验室正在从不同方向进行细胞系统的合成，包括从简单化学物质开始的那些，到利用现有细胞的那些。从非生命组件开始的方法往往侧重于模仿生命的特定特征，例如基因组复制、蛋白质合成、感觉系统以及隔室形成、生长和分裂。相反，更流行的合成生物学方法从已经存在的东西开始，并试图赋予现有细胞新的行为。在这里，我们讨论了构建类似细胞系统的进展，这些系统模拟具有定义组件的生命的关键特征。