An “artificial cell” capable of synthesising genes and making them into proteins quickly and cheaply has been developed by MIT researchers.

The first part of the device synthezises the genes using enzymes to join together DNA strands from a pool of short templates. The finished genes are then copied to produce many versions of the final product. Cycles of heating and cooling control the enzymes carrying out the reactions.

Once the genes have been made, a series of tiny pumps mixes them with the enzymes and cell extracts needed to make proteins.

It could ultimately help scientists test how individual patients will react to specific drugs.