A team of scientists have produced a functioning cell - made from polymers. You're looking at the first ever eukaryotic cell. It contains a nucleus and other sub-units known as organelles within its membrane and are made from plastic.

Eukaryotic cells are the fundamental building blocks of all complex life. Along with their organelles, it allows them to perform specialist functions which vary from cell to cell.

Researchers at Radboud University Nijmegen in The Netherlands inserted tiny polystyrene spheres filled with enzymes to fill the role of organelles and nucleus, then encapsulated the whole things in a coating of a polymer called polybutadiene-b-poly polymersom. It was able to resemble a real cell, even performing multi-step chemical processes.

With techniques like this, scientists may be able to create artificial photosynthesis to biofuel production and more.

[Nature Chemistry via Gizmag]