Why Scientists Say They Can Whole-Genome Synthesize A Bacteria
The use of genetic engineering to create custom organisms has been rapidly advancing in the 21st century and scientists have now been enabled to “whole-genome synthesize” bacteria. This latest breakthrough promises to hugely expand what can be achieved in the fields of medicine, agriculture, and beyond. In this article, we will be looking at the scientific evidence that explains why scientists are now able to whole-genome synthesize a bacteria.
What is Whole-Genome Synthesizing?
Whole-Genome Synthesizing (WGS) is a recent genetic engineering technique that enables scientists to design and create a custom bacterial genome from scratch. WGS uses several complex processes to build an entire bacterial genome from the four bases of DNA, A, C, G, T. The fully formed genome is then introduced into a host cell in order for the bacteria to propagate and the creation of the custom organism is complete.
The Benefits of Whole-Genome Synthesizing
Whole-Genome Synthesizing offers a range of potential benefits to scientific research. It gives scientists unprecedented control of a bacteria’s genetic makeup, allowing them to modify it in whichever way they deem fit. This method of gene manipulation is being used by scientists to create new, custom-made organisms that possess desired properties, such as the ability to produce specific proteins that are beneficial to humans.
Furthermore, WGS also grants scientists the ability to create complex bacterial systems, such as a biological “computer”, which uses biology to perform computing functions and solve problems. This type of technology could one day be used to optimize medical diagnostics, drug development, and crop engineering and could revolutionize the healthcare industry.
How Does Whole-Genome Synthesizing Work?
Whole-Genome Synthesizing combines several complex processes in order to construct a custom bacterial genome from scratch. Firstly, the four bases of DNA – A, C, G, T – are identified and encoded into a long computerized sequence, which will act as the bacteria’s genetic blueprint.
This computerized sequence is then divided into smaller fragments, which are synthesized, or “stitched” together, to form the completed bacterial genome. Finally, the completed genome is introduced into a host cell and allowed to propagate.
The Process of Whole-Genome Synthesizing
The exact process of Whole-Genome Synthesizing varies depending on the desired organism, but typically includes the following steps:
1.Identifying the genetic code of the desired organism
2.Designing the complete genome on a computer
3.Breaking the full genome into smaller fragments
4.Synthesizing the smaller fragments using a process known as “semiconductor-based synthesis”
5.Stitching the fragments together
6.Introducing the completed genome into a host cell
7.Allowing the organism to propagate in the host cell
What Does Whole-Genome Synthesizing Mean for Science?
The ability to create custom organisms through Whole-Genome Synthesizing has vastly increased the possibilities of genetic engineering, in both the medical and agricultural fields. WGS has been used to create “designer” organisms with the ability to produce proteins that are beneficial to humans, such as bacterial strains that can secrete insulin. This type of breakthrough could revolutionize the field of medicine and lead to advancements in areas such as drug development and disease diagnostics.
Additionally, Whole-Genome
Synthesizing has enabled geneticists to create complex microbial systems, such as a biological “computer”, which utilizes gene-encoded logic gates and memory structures to perform computing functions. Scientists are hopeful that this technology could one day be used to optimize crop engineering, medical diagnostics and drug development.
The recent breakthrough of Whole-Genome Synthesizing has enabled geneticists to construct custom bacterial genomes from scratch. This process grants scientists an unprecedented level of control over an organism’s genetic makeup, allowing them to create specialized organisms with desired properties. WGS promises to revolutionize the fields of medicine and agriculture and could potentially lead to advancements in areas such as drug development and crop engineering.
