Scientists Created First Synthetic Cell

[thetonestarr]

lestatdark said:

thetonestarr said:
Only the DNA is synthetic. That's not advanced. That's just tedious.

The technique itself isn't advanced, to create a synthetic DNA using YAC genome libraries (Yeast Artificial Chromossome) and then implant it as separated different vectors has been used since the dawn of genetics engineering in the 70's.

What's advanced though, and a major break through, is that the entire synthetic DNA works like a functional chromossome (since Bacteria only have one chromossome), which has every normal function as normal DNA. For that matter, that single synthetic chromossome has to have the ability to functionalize hundreds of different genes and alelles, create it's own restriction enzymes and polymerases, have it's own proteossomic and ribossomic capacities. This is what's groundbreaking in this new synthetic cell.

 

Right, I was mainly trolling.

Though it's still not a synthetic cell. They cannot make that claim until they actually build the entire cell wall and nucleus from scratch. I'll give ribosomes and the other funnies a pass (except for mitochondria, as they have their own DNA), since they're unnecessary for a cell to operate.

 

Anyways, either way, I'm still not impressed. I want to see them engineer a single cell to replicate into a more complex organism. This will require either multiple chromosomes OR engineering the chromosome to give the bacterium some sort of mission. Like maybe to attack a certain type of bacteria and leave everything else alone.