The tools available to molecular
biologists especially in regard to gene sequencing and assembly allow
investigators to produce nucleotide sequences that incorporate specific genes
and gene clusters into DNA created in-situ.
A team of investigators headed by Craig Venter from the J. Craig Venter
Institute in La Jolla California in effect created a microorganism containing
473 genes (Syn 3.0). The purpose of this
investigation was to determine the minimal amount of genetic material required
to sustain life as an autonomous organism and successfully reproduce.
In 2010, Venter and his
colleagues created an entire chromosome from the bacterium, Mycoplasma mycoides
(this organism has only one chromosome) and demonstrated that this synthetic
chromosome was completely functional.
They did this by stripping out the naturally occurring DNA from the mycoplasma,
M. capricolum and replacing it with the synthetic chromosome. The modified organism was called Syn 1.0 and
with its complement of 901 genes was shown to be completely viable and capable
of reproduction.
With this material in hand, the
investigative group sought to assemble Syn 3.0 by methodically whittling down
the DNA in Syn 1.0 to the smallest number of genes required to sustain life. The
result of this painstaking work was Syn 3.0
What makes this current result so
remarkable is that this organism is entirely new. Of the 473 genes, 149 (31.5%) are of unknown
function; therefore, additional work will focus on the discovery of the
function of these apparently essential genes.
Syn 3.0 may prove to be an invaluable tool in understanding the
evolution of life on planet earth.
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