What happens when humans try to build life from scratch?
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Scientists are currently working on building synthetic cells. These are cells created by humans from lifeless components. The field is still in its early stages, but its implications are enormous. It is not just about engineering life, it is also about exploring one of the most fundamental questions: “What is life?”
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As an interdisciplinary team, the topic is explored from many angles: through science, philosophy, art, poetry, sound, and discussion. Some were drawn to ethical dilemmas, others to the beauty of complexity, the challenge of creating life-like systems, the possible future applications, or the deeper mystery of what life truly is. ​Synthetic cell research raises questions that reach far beyond the lab, and the decisions being made today will impact the society we are all part of.
That is why ‘‘Am II Alive?’’ is created.
An art installation about synthetic cells: what they are, how they are being developed, and why they matter. It invites the public to reflect on the question “What is life?” and on the potential impact of this emerging field on our society. ​By offering an accessible entry point, the installation encourages meaningful discussion and helps people connect with this field. Not as passive observers, but as active participants in shaping its future.
"DEVELOPING NEW MEDIA ART TO REFLECT ON SYNTHETIC CELLS RESEARCH ‘‘
Synthetic cell research
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All living organisms are made up of cells: the basic building blocks of life. Synthetic cells are human-made versions of these building blocks, built entirely from lifeless components. They are typically just a few micrometers in size. To put that in perspective, a synthetic cell is to a human what a tennis ball is to Mount Everest. In the Cees Dekker Lab, scientists aim to build a cell from scratch, also known as the bottom-up approach. They do this by creating a soap-like bubble, called a vesicle. Then, a combination of lifeless components, such as proteins and DNA, is inserted into the vesicle. The behaviour of this vesicle is studied and evaluated according to four criteria:​​​​​
GROW AND DIVIDE;
SENSE AND RESPOND;
SUSTAIN ITSELF;
AND EVOLVE.
Once a vesicle meets all four criteria, it will exhibit life-like behaviour similar to that of a natural cell. At this point, it is a synthetic cell and can be considered to be alive. Building a synthetic cell is a long and complex process, likely to take decades. This is because cells are incredibly complex. Scientists must experiment with countless combinations of lifeless components to insert into a vesicle, while also considering many other factors that influence whether the synthetic cell will function like a living cell. To speed up this process, artificial intelligence (AI) is used to predict the combinations that are most promising for testing. However, this trial-and-error approach, combined with the unpredictable nature of the outcomes, can be risky. That is why strict safety regulations are in place.
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An important safety measure is the built-in “kill switch”. The first synthetic cells are expected to be extremely fragile, relying entirely on a steady supply of nutrients and components that are only available in the lab. In this sense, their dependence acts as a natural ‘‘kill switch’’, as without these essential inputs, the cells cannot survive outside the lab environment. This environment ensures they remain contained and cannot spread or persist in the world outside of the lab.
Frame
Mirror Foil
Structure in sphere
