更改

An artificial cell, synthetic cell or minimal cell is an engineered particle that mimics one or many functions of a biological cell. Often, artificial cells are biological or polymeric membranes which enclose biologically active materials. As such, liposomes, polymersomes, nanoparticles, microcapsules and a number of other particles can qualify as artificial cells.

An artificial cell, synthetic cell or minimal cell is an engineered particle that mimics one or many functions of a biological cell. Often, artificial cells are biological or polymeric membranes which enclose biologically active materials. As such, liposomes, polymersomes, nanoparticles, microcapsules and a number of other particles can qualify as artificial cells.

The terms "artificial cell" and "synthetic cell" are used in a variety of different fields and can have different meanings, as it is also reflected in the different sections of this article. Some stricter definitions are based on the assumption that the term "cell" directly relates to [[Cell (biology)|biological cells]] and that these structures therefore have to be alive (or part of a living organism) and, further, that the term "artificial" implies that these structures are artificially built from the bottom-up, i.e. from basic components. As such, in the area of [[synthetic biology]], an artificial cell can be understood as a completely synthetically made cell that can capture [[energy]], maintain [[electrochemical gradient|ion gradients]], contain [[macromolecule]]s as well as store information and have the ability to [[replicate (biology)|replicate]].<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Deamer D|date=July 2005|title=A giant step towards artificial life?|journal=Trends in Biotechnology|volume=23|issue=7|pages=336–338|doi=10.1016/j.tibtech.2005.05.008|pmid=15935500}}</ref> This kind of artificial cell has not yet been made.

The terms "artificial cell" and "synthetic cell" are used in a variety of different fields and can have different meanings, as it is also reflected in the different sections of this article. Some stricter definitions are based on the assumption that the term "cell" directly relates to [[Cell (biology)|biological cells]] and that these structures therefore have to be alive (or part of a living organism) and, further, that the term "artificial" implies that these structures are artificially built from the bottom-up, i.e. from basic components. As such, in the area of [[synthetic biology]], an artificial cell can be understood as a completely synthetically made cell that can capture [[energy]], maintain [[electrochemical gradient|ion gradients]], contain [[macromolecule]]s as well as store information and have the ability to [[replicate (biology)|replicate]].<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Deamer D|date=July 2005|title=A giant step towards artificial life?|journal=Trends in Biotechnology|volume=23|issue=7|pages=336–338|doi=10.1016/j.tibtech.2005.05.008|pmid=15935500}}</ref> This kind of artificial cell has not yet been made.