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Synthetic Biology Breakthrough: Venter Institute Scientists Create First Self-Replicating, Synthetic Bacterial Cell

Jvcisyn1
Self-replicating synthetic bacteria (JCVI-syn1.0 isolate) shown in electron micrographs using two different methods. Source: Gibson et al. Click to enlarge.

Researchers at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), a not-for-profit genomic research organization, have successfully constructed the first self-replicating, synthetic bacterial cell. The team synthesized the 1.08 million base pair chromosome of a modified Mycoplasma mycoides genome. The synthetic cell is called Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0 and is the proof of principle that genomes can be designed in the computer, chemically made in the laboratory and transplanted into a recipient cell to produce a new self-replicating cell controlled only by the synthetic genome.

The JCVI scientists envision that the knowledge gained by constructing this first self-replicating synthetic cell, coupled with decreasing costs for DNA synthesis, will give rise to wider use of this powerful technology, leading to the development of applications and products including biofuels, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, clean water and food products. A paper on the work by Daniel Gibson et al. was published online 20 May in the journal Science.

For nearly 15 years Ham Smith, Clyde Hutchison and the rest of our team have been working toward this publication today—the successful completion of our work to construct a bacterial cell that is fully controlled by a synthetic genome. We have been consumed by this research, but we have also been equally focused on addressing the societal implications of what we believe will be one of the most powerful technologies and industrial drivers for societal good. We look forward to continued review and dialogue about the important applications of this work to ensure that it is used for the benefit of all.

—J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., founder and president, JCVI and senior author on the paper

With this first synthetic bacterial cell and the new tools and technologies we developed to successfully complete this project, we now have the means to dissect the genetic instruction set of a bacterial cell to see and understand how it really works.

—Dr. Ham Smith

Synthetic Genomics and ExxonMobil
In 2009, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company (EMRE) ExxonMobil launched a major algal biofuel research and development program with Synthetic Genomics (SGI), the privately held company focused on developing genomic-driven solutions and founded by genome pioneer, Dr. J. Craig Venter. (Earlier post.)
If research and development milestones are successfully met, ExxonMobil expects to spend more than $600 million, which includes $300 million in internal costs. As part of the multi-faceted agreement, SGI will receive milestone payments for achievements in developing technology related to algal-based biofuels and related products.
Under the terms of the agreement, SGI will work in a systematic approach to find, optimize, and/or engineer superior strains of algae.

To complete this final stage in the nearly 15 year process to construct and boot up a synthetic cell, JCVI scientists began with the accurate, digitized genome of the bacterium, M. mycoides. The team designed 1,078 specific cassettes of DNA that were 1,080 base pairs long. These cassettes were designed so that the ends of each DNA cassette overlapped each of its neighbors by 80bp. The cassettes were made according to JCVI’s specifications by the DNA synthesis company, Blue Heron Biotechnology.

The JCVI team employed a three stage process using their previously described yeast assembly system (earlier post) to build the genome using the 1,078 cassettes. The first stage involved taking 10 cassettes of DNA at a time to build 110, 10,000 bp segments. In the second stage, these 10,000 bp segments are taken 10 at a time to produce eleven, 100,000 bp segments. In the final step, all 11, 100 kb segments were assembled into the complete synthetic genome in yeast cells and grown as a yeast artificial chromosome.

The complete synthetic M. mycoides genome was isolated from the yeast cell and transplanted into Mycoplasma capricolum recipient cells that have had the genes for its restriction enzyme removed. The synthetic genome DNA was transcribed into messenger RNA, which in turn was translated into new proteins. The M. capricolum genome was either destroyed by M. mycoides restriction enzymes or was lost during cell replication. After two days viable M. mycoides cells, which contained only synthetic DNA, were clearly visible on petri dishes containing bacterial growth medium.

The initial synthesis of the synthetic genome did not result in any viable cells so the JCVI team developed an error correction method to test that each cassette they constructed was biologically functional. They did this by using a combination of 100 kb natural and synthetic segments of DNA to produce semi-synthetic genomes. This approach allowed for the testing of each synthetic segment in combination with 10 natural segments for their capacity to be transplanted and form new cells. Ten out of 11 synthetic fragments resulted in viable cells; therefore the team narrowed the issue down to a single 100 kb cassette. DNA sequencing revealed that a single base pair deletion in an essential gene was responsible for the unsuccessful transplants. Once this one base pair error was corrected, the first viable synthetic cell was produced.

To produce a synthetic cell, our group had to learn how to sequence, synthesize, and transplant genomes. Many hurdles had to be overcome, but we are now able to combine all of these steps to produce synthetic cells in the laboratory. We can now begin working on our ultimate objective of synthesizing a minimal cell containing only the genes necessary to sustain life in its simplest form. This will help us better understand how cells work.

—Dr. Daniel Gibson

This publication represents the construction of the largest synthetic molecule of a defined structure; the genome is almost double the size of the previous Mycoplasma genitalium synthesis. With this successful proof of principle, the group will now work on creating a minimal genome, which has been a goal since 1995. They will do this by whittling away at the synthetic genome and repeating transplantation experiments until no more genes can be disrupted and the genome is as small as possible. This minimal cell will be a platform for analyzing the function of every essential gene in a cell.

To me the most remarkable thing about our synthetic cell is that its genome was designed in the computer and brought to life through chemical synthesis, without using any pieces of natural DNA. This involved developing many new and useful methods along the way. We have assembled an amazing group of scientists that have made this possible.

—Dr. Clyde Hutchinson

As in the team’s 2008 publication in which they described the successful synthesis of the M. genitalium genome (earlier post), they designed and inserted into the genome what they called watermarks. These are specifically designed segments of DNA that use the “alphabet” of genes and proteins that enable the researcher to spell out words and phrases. The watermarks are an essential means to prove that the genome is synthetic and not native, and to identify the laboratory of origin.

Encoded in the watermarks is a new DNA code for writing words, sentences and numbers. In addition to the new code there is a web address to send emails to if you can successfully decode the new code, the names of 46 authors and other key contributors and three quotations: “TO LIVE, TO ERR, TO FALL, TO TRIUMPH, TO RECREATE LIFE OUT OF LIFE.”- JAMES JOYCE; “SEE THINGS NOT AS THEY ARE, BUT AS THEY MIGHT BE.”-A quote from the book, “American Prometheus”; “WHAT I CANNOT BUILD, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND.” - RICHARD FEYNMAN.

Funding for this research came from Synthetic Genomics Inc., a company co-founded by Drs. Venter and Smith.

Background. The research published today was made possible by previous breakthroughs at JCVI. In 2007 the team published results from the transplantation of the native M. mycoides genome into the M. capricolum cell which resulted in the M. capricolum cell being transformed into M. mycoides. This work established the notion that DNA is the software of life and that DNA dictates the cell phenotype. (Earlier post.)

In 2008 the same team reported on the construction of the first synthetic bacterial genome by assembling DNA fragments made from the four chemicals of life—ACGT. The final assembly of DNA fragments into the whole genome was performed in yeast by making use of the yeast genetic systems. However, when the team attempted to transplant the synthetic bacterial genome out of yeast and into a recipient bacterial cell, viable transplants could not be recovered.

Resources

  • Daniel G. Gibson et al. (2010) Creation of a Bacterial Cell Controlled by a Chemically Synthesized Genome. Science Express doi: 10.1126/science.1190719

Comments

ejj

This is incredible...revolutionary! I think it's fascinating that it "is the proof of principle that genomes can be designed in the computer, chemically made in the laboratory and transplanted into a recipient cell to produce a new self-replicating cell controlled only by the synthetic genome." Maybe someday they will be able to create custom designed cells that attack cancers, which are able to be turned off at will. Or, how about algae that are "programmed" for maximum biofuel production based on changing environmental conditions? Maybe they could also design microbes that break down oil in the environment too. This is very exciting research.

ai_vin

I saw news items of this earlier and they all went on about how scienists were "playing GOD!" in trying to "create" life.

ejj

I personally have no problem with this kind of work. Scientists have been "playing god" for centuries with the selective breeding of plants and animals; this is merely a more advanced approach to it. If Venter was interested in designing & producing "synthetic" human beings that would be disturbing. There is little doubt though that as this technology is refined & developed, that someone or some group will secretly work on synthetic humans ---- I think we are going to have to come to terms with that someday.

HarveyD

To find ways to correct the damages done by junk food over the last 100 years would be great while improving what is above the shoulders.

ai_vin

@ejj

Actually somebody's already making "synthetic" human beings. Do a google for "real dolls" & "lovable dolls" and be prepared to be 'disturbed.'

WARNING: Don't do this if there are minors present.

ejj

ai_vin: If you remember the movie "River's Edge" with Keeanu Reeves, a synthetic woman was a significant part of the movie! All joking aside, maybe Venter needs to clarify that his products are NOT made out of plastic!

ai_vin

Funny you should mention that - want to know why I should know about such things? A couple of years ago I read a newspaper article; http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/02/japan2
and just had to know what kind of doll could fool so many trained investigators.

sulleny

"There is little doubt though that as this technology is refined & developed, that someone or some group will secretly work on synthetic humans ---- I think we are going to have to come to terms with that someday."

That day is here for some people...

Roxanne

Thanks for this. We are also covering the topic of artificially engineered cells with synthetic DNA on our blog in the form of a video. http://cbt20.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/biotechnology-news-25/

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