The simplest cell ever created is JCVI-syn3.0, a synthetic organism with only 473 genes. This minimal cell was created by scientists in 2016, and it represents the bare minimum of genetic material required for a cell to survive and reproduce.
However, mycoplasmas, while being the simplest cells capable of independent growth in laboratory media, are not considered the simplest forms of life. They are not ancient bacteria found at the base of the tree of life. Their evolution has led them to become very simple, making them valuable models for studying minimal cells.
The concept of a "minimal cell" is based on the idea that only a specific set of genes is necessary for a cell to function. Researchers are continuously striving to understand which genes are essential for life and how they interact to create a functioning cell.
