The evolution of single cells was a staggeringly time-consuming process, requiring millions of years in literally ocean-sized vats of chemicals and collisions.  Which makes it particularly awesome that some Penn State researchers have decided "Hell, we can do that."

Not that they're trying to construct an entirely artificial life-form (which would be incredibly difficult and likely require Arnold Schwarzenegger to deal with).  Most modern cellular research looks at existing cells - which might sound obvious enough, until you realize just how amazingly complex a single cell is.  Current techniques examining microcellular structures or identifying gene functions are like trying to understand a space shuttle by hacking pieces off it and seeing what happens.