Kate Adamala Research Group

University of Minnesota

Can synthetic cells be built to model life and to serve as programmable bioreactors for biotechnology and space missions? The Adamala group builds and studies synthetic minimal cells—liposomal bioreactors that mimic natural cell functions and can be engineered for new capabilities. Researchers use cell-free protein expression, liposome encapsulation, and RNA engineering to create programmable synthetic cells for metabolic engineering, drug development, and biosensing. The lab applies synthetic cell systems to investigate origin-of-life questions and to develop tools for biomanufacturing and space exploration.