Frankenstein's bacterium

Apprearing in tomorrow's edition of Science, we have news of considerable advances in genomics from the J. Craig Venter Institute. One team of geneticists at the institute led by Daniel Gibson succeeded in creating a synthetic genome capable of reproduction. While the genome is not a Frankenstein-esque monster, it is synthetic in the sense that it is the first ever genome constructed from raw chemicals. The process has been long and daunting, calling on years of previous breakthrough work from the institute in order to materialize the bacteria chromosomes in yeast and then transplant them successfully. Often using the analogy of computer terminology, Venter explains that once a genome has been sequenced and placed in a recipient cell's cytoplasm (devoid of genetic material), the newly inserted genome "boots up like software."

Of course this instance wasn't without some error at the outset. The genome the team attempted to synthesize was switched at one point during the course of the project. Initially using a simpler, smaller genetic sequence, the team found that the cell's phasing took so long to cycle, they needed to switch gears and use another species in order to yield results. In the end, the constructed genome was that of Mycoplasma capricolum, a bacterium containing 1.1 million base pairs. Even so, the initial trial of M. capricolum didn't yield any results as the cell remained completely inactive. The project underwent a delay of three months while software analysis checking the constructed genome indicated a single base pair was a "typo" and the team located and amended the mistake.

This research proved not only the magnitude of possibility the field holds, but also the necessity for complete accuracy in genetic engineering. Venter and his institute have plans, provided no governmental interference, to pursue wholly synthetic creations that could provide effective health, commercial and industrial applications to some of the most pressing world issues of energy, waste, and medicine. Of course, from the pitfalls in the process of this research, it logically follows that the essential components that make nature's "software" work need to be understood before completely fabricated species have their "software" engineered entirely anew.

TED provided video of J. Craig Venter's press release.