BioConcepts

minimal cellMinimalzelle (ger.)

• A cell of minimal complexity, consisting only of the minimal set of components necessary for its survival in a laboratory environment.  
  category organism

  1957

  Not long ago such a concept of a “minimum cell” would have been thought of as plainly absurd. Today it is quite a permissible abstraction indicating the goal of rather likely future achievements.

  Gaffron, H. (1957). Photosynthesis and the origin of life. In: Rudnick, D. (ed.). Rhythmic and Synthetic Processes in Growth, 127-154: 127.

  1964

  All the membrane systems of the cell may be looked upon as specializations of a primitive membrane system that goes back to the time in evolutionary development when the essential equipment of the minimal cell was first perfected

  Green, D.E. & Fleischer, S. (1964). Role of lipid in mitochondrial function. In: Dawson, R.M.C. & Rhodes, D.N. (eds.). Metabolism and Physiological Significance of Lipids, 581-617: 612.

  1967

  An order of magnitude separates the sizes of the smallest actual cell and the theoretical minimal cell

  Morowitz, H.J. (1967). Biological self-replicating systems. In: Snell, F.M. (ed.). Progress in Theoretical Biology, vol. 1, 35-58: 55.

  1967

  We shall invoke a ›minimal cell‹ in which this minimum of essential equipment is contained

  Green, D.E. & Goldberger, R.F. (1967). Molecular Insights into the Living Process: 3.

  1990

  minimal cell

  Fleischaker, G.R. (1990). Origins of life: an operational definition. Origins Life Evol. Biosph. 20, 127-137: 132.

  1995

  minimal cell

  Bork, P. (1995). Exploring the Mycoplasma capricolum genome: a minimal cell reveals its physiology. Molec. Microbiol. 16, 955-968.