Researchers Developed a Novel Organism Using Only 57 Genetic Directives

In a groundbreaking development in the field of synthetic biology, Biologist Jason Chin from Oxford University has successfully synthesised Syn57-E. coli bacteria, boasting a 57-codon genome - significantly fewer than the original.

This remarkable achievement, published in the prestigious journal Science, was the result of over a hundred thousand codon changes to the original E. coli genome. The researchers involved in this synthesis, including scientists from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), tolerated some re-coded groups of codons across entire regions, while others required only a viable substitute.

Elizabeth Rayne, a prolific writer and a shapeshifter, has covered this fascinating study in her work, which has been published in popular online platforms such as SYFY WIRE and Live Science. Rayne, a resident outside of New York City with her parrot, Lestat, has also been featured in numerous other publications, including Popular Mechanics, Ars Technica, Space.com, Den of Geek, Forbidden Futures, and Collective Tales, among others. Her work often delves into a wide range of topics, including science, technology, and entertainment.

The final synthetic strain of E. coli was named Syn57, and Chin plans to continue testing the limits of a genome in upcoming research. The creation of Syn57-E. coli offers insights into how life and the genes that determine its traits may have originated on Earth.

Previously, researchers had removed stop codons from the E. coli genome through mutagenesis, but this method often resulted in excess mutations and difficulty adjusting the numbers of sense codons versus stop codons. Chin's method, however, offers a more controlled approach to genetic engineering.

One potential advantage of Syn57-E. coli is its potential resistance to viruses. Synthetic genetic codes can make some organisms resistant to viruses by blocking viruses that genetically alter organisms. Chin plans to explore this aspect further, along with the generation of deeply edited genetic codes, enhanced virus resistance, the genetic coding of new proteins, and new polymers in future work.

Protein polymers, which can behave like natural proteins and be designed to solve problems on a molecular level, can be produced more efficiently with synthetic genomes. This opens up a world of possibilities for future research and applications in various fields.

Rayne's work, which often explores various aspects of science and technology, provides an engaging and accessible perspective on this groundbreaking research. When not writing, she enjoys activities such as drawing and playing the piano.

This synthesis of Syn57-E. coli marks a significant step forward in the field of synthetic biology, offering insights into the origins of life and paving the way for future advancements in genetic engineering.