Scientists create the smallest genome necessary for life – Economy and Business online

In 2010, a group of scientists led by Craig Venter, the father of the human genome, created the first synthetic bacterium using the “shell” of a microorganism and genetic material of another. A step closer to synthetic life.

But now, the same group managed to create a cell with the minimum of genes needed for this living independently. The work, which is published today in the journal Science, not only about the possibility of creating life in the laboratory, but also a tool for understanding how genes work.

Trial and Error

to achieve this synthetic organism, called Syn 3.0, the team took the cytoplasm or “shell” of a bacterium and introduced a synthetic genome, copied from another. They then divided the genes into groups and began to erase one to see if the bacteria could live and reproduce without them. And concluded that 473 genes is the minimum number for the microorganism still alive.

In the process, moreover, the group found that there are genes that are interrelated to fulfill a specific function. So if erasing the first nothing happened, but drew the second of the pair, that specific function disappeared. “We do not know what the function of almost a third of the 473 genes,” said Craig Venter, founder and president of the institute that bears his name, and head of research. Same with the human genome, he said, so this is a humble step closer to that knowledge.

“This work is very interesting, but a lot so they can build a fully synthetic cell” says Manuel Santos, professor at the School of Biological Sciences of the Catholic University.

One of the concerns of this line of work is the almost infinite possibility of creating life once the technique is achieved. Making bacteria capable of degrading oil spilled into the sea or other that can act as antibiotics could be a breakthrough, but not the risk would mean that those microorganisms that do not exist in nature interact with it is known.

Regardless of these apprehensions, the Syn 3.0 also important as a biological model. While this is not a bacteria commonly used in the laboratory, could use the same technique with E. coli, for example, explains Manuel Santos, and thus make it more efficient for certain tasks. Still much to do.

The same Craig Venter acknowledged that the idea of ​​creating in the laboratory a body with minimal gene required for survival is mid-’90s and even considering that the team He distracted his concentration for a while -to presented sequencing in the human genome gave 2000- with the result four years later than planned.