Abstract
The minimal cell is the simplest bacterium designed
and engineered to have almost only essential genes. It is
based on a bacterium Mycoplasma, and is designed to
have only 473 genes (531 kbp), reducing from 901 genes
(1,079 kbp) of the wild strain. This is expected to greatly
advance our understanding of the basics of life, is a
major step toward the creation of artificial life, and must
be a milestone in microbiology. This mini review
summarizes the procedures for creating the minimal cell
and examples of its use.
