Protocell precursor molecules. Image 1 of 5. Artwork showing cellular components randomly distributed in a synthetic 'primeval soup'. The primeval soup was a mix of carbon based molecules that chemically evolved to form simple cells at the beginning of life. Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, USA, attempted to recreate these primitive cells in 2006 by making protocells (artificial cells) from PNA (peptide nucleic acid, orange), fatty acids (blue) and lysosomes (enzyme-producing organelles, yellow). Making living entities in the lab could be advantageous for applications such as nanotechnology. See G200/112-G200/116 for a series of images showing the creation of a protocell.