"A single cell is the most awesomely sophisticated molecular machine yet produced. A self-directing, self-replicating micro-factory capable of complex constructions, automated repair and even (like all good sci-fi-sounding devices) self-destruct. The first cells, however, were much less "complex mechanisms" and significantly more "Shake and Bake" - a model that we're now ready to build ourselves." - Jason Wehmhoener

Amazing. Perhaps this angle of attack is the way to unravel (so to speak) the trickier bits of genetics, rather than reverse-engineering super-complex genomes that have already evolved. - Madsimian