Single-cell prokaryotes represent a simple and primitive cellular life form. The identification of the essential genes of bacteria and the minimal genome for the free-living cellular life could provide insights into the origin, evolution, and essence of life forms. The principles, methodology, and recent progresses in the identification of essential genes and minimal genome and the creation of synthetic cells are reviewed and particularly the strategies for creating the minimal genome and the potential applications are introduced.
Artificial Cells ; metabolism ; Bacteria ; genetics ; Genes, Essential ; Genome Size ; Genome, Bacterial ; genetics ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; genetics ; Synthetic Biology ; methods