The world’s smallest synthetic lifeform can now move by itself
Synthetic bacteria aren't natural, and now scientists are starting to give them new abilities.
Key takeaways
- In 2010 scientists at JCVI unveiled the world’s first completely synthetic lifeform – a micro-organism derived from a synthetic chromosome made up of four chemicals and designed using a computer.
- See it in action In the new study, scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University edited the latest version of the organism, known as syn3, to give it a new ability – movement.
- When the proteins were added to syn3, it changed from its usual round form to the same helix shape as Spiroplasma, and most importantly was now able to swim using the same technique.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2022) 'The world’s smallest synthetic lifeform can now move by itself', 311 Institute, 21 December. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/the-worlds-smallest-synthetic-lifeform-can-now-move-by-itself/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Japanese scientists have “engineered the smallest lifeform that can move on its own,” and bearing in mind I’ve seen everything from mini living robots – Xenobots - made from frog cells to replicating synthetic cells unlike anything nature ever created that’s saying something. The team introduced bacterial proteins that enable movement into a simple synthetic bacterium that normally cannot move, causing it to change shape and become mobile.
In 2010 scientists at JCVI unveiled the world’s first completely synthetic lifeform – a micro-organism derived from a synthetic chromosome made up of four chemicals and designed using a computer. Over the years other scientists tweaked the recipe to give the organism the smallest, simplest genome possible, while allowing it to grow and divide like natural cells.
See it in action
In the new study, scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University edited the latest version of the organism, known as syn3, to give it a new ability – movement. This synthetic bacteria is usually spherical and can’t get around on its own, so the team experimented by adding seven proteins thought to allow natural bacteria to swim.
These proteins were derived from a bacteria species called Spiroplasma, which has a long helix shape and can swim by reversing the direction of that helix. When the proteins were added to syn3, it changed from its usual round form to the same helix shape as Spiroplasma, and most importantly was now able to swim using the same technique.
“Our swimming syn3 can be said to be the ‘smallest mobile lifeform’ with the ability to move on its own,” said Professor Makoto Miyata, co-lead author of the study. “The results of this research are expected to advance how we understand the evolution and origins of cell motility. Studying the world’s smallest bacterium with the smallest functional motor apparatus could be used to develop movement for cell-mimicking microrobots or protein-based motors.”
The research was published in the journal Science Advances. The team describes the work in the video below.
Source: Osaka Metropolitan University
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Synthetic bacteria aren't natural, and now scientists are starting to give them new abilities.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
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Sources and further reading
- grow and divide newatlas.com
- Sciadv.abo7490 science.org
- Osaka Metropolitan University omu.ac.jp
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 21 December 2022. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2022). The world’s smallest synthetic lifeform can now move by itself. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/the-worlds-smallest-synthetic-lifeform-can-now-move-by-itself/
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