Researchers have created a yeast strain with over 50% synthetic DNA.
The synthetic chromosome, SynXI, can replace the natural chromosome while the yeast cell continues to grow normally.
The synthetic yeast is a 'designer' genome that differs substantially from the natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome.
The ultimate goal of this project is to understand complex cells better and create strains for industrial use, such as producing medicines and biofuels.
In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers have successfully created a yeast strain with over 50% synthetic DNA. This achievement is a part of the Synthetic Yeast Genome Project (Sc2.0), a global consortium of over 250 researchers, which has been working on this for 15 years. The synthetic yeast, known as a 'designer' genome, differs substantially from the natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome.
The researchers removed chunks of non-coding DNA and repetitive elements, added new snippets of DNA, and introduced a built-in diversity generator called 'SCRaMbLE' that shuffles the order of genes within and between chromosomes. They also relocated many of the genes that encode transfer RNA (tRNA) to an entirely new 'neochromosome' consisting only of tRNA genes.
This synthetic chromosome, SynXI, can replace the natural chromosome while the yeast cell continues to grow normally. It has been engineered with special features not found in its natural counterpart, allowing for manipulation to fine tune yeast's role in creating new medicines and biotechnologies. The synthetic chromosomes could open up new abilities for how we study and apply biology, from creating new microbial strains for greener bioproduction to helping understand and combat disease.
The ultimate goal of this project is to understand complex cells better and create strains for industrial use, such as producing medicines and biofuels. Despite the synthetic chromosomes, the yeast strain was able to reproduce normally, marking a significant step towards creating complex cells with entirely synthetic genomes.
The synthetic yeast is a 'designer' genome that differs substantially from the natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome.
The researchers removed chunks of non-coding DNA and repetitive elements, added new snippets of DNA, and introduced a built-in diversity generator called 'SCRaMbLE' that shuffles the order of genes within and between chromosomes.
They also relocated many of the genes that encode transfer RNA (tRNA) to an entirely new 'neochromosome' consisting only of tRNA genes.
The synthetic chromosomes could open up new abilities for how we study and apply biology, from creating new microbial strains for greener bioproduction to helping understand and combat disease.
This synthetic chromosome, SynXI, has been engineered with special features not found in its natural counterpart, allowing for manipulation to fine tune yeast's role in creating new medicines and biotechnologies.