Synthetic genomes brought closer to life.
Synthetic genomes brought closer to life.
Our ability to read DNA sequence has undergone monumental advances in recent decades. However, our ability to write genetic code and engineer life is rudimentary in comparison. A long standing goal in the new field of synthetic biology is creating a free living microbial cell by designing and activating a synthetic genome. This article reviews recent advances in the field, with a particular focus on chemical synthesis of the genome of the bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium. There has not yet been activation of a synthetic genome to express the organism it encodes, but this will be accomplished in time. The scientific and non-scientific implications of doing so are considered in this article.
Full citation
Holt RA. Synthetic genomes brought closer to life. Nature Biotechnology. 2008 March; 26(3):296-297.
Further details of this publication can be found online at:
http://www.nature.com/naturebiotechnology
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Oct 01, 2008