Scientists Successfully Create First Fully Synthetic Chromosome in Yeast, Paving Way for Major Bioengineering Advancements

Breakthrough after 15-year project could see synthetic yeast used in various industries including food production and medicine, with potential for complete synthetic eukaryotic cell creation in a year or two.

• Scientists have successfully created the first fully synthetic chromosome in yeast, marking a significant advancement in bioengineering. The achievement is the culmination of a 15-year project dedicated to creating a synthetic yeast cell.
• The synthetic yeast cell, dubbed a 'neochromosome', was designed on a computer and does not mimic any existing natural chromosome. It was created at the University of Manchester and has the capability to adapt to new conditions and become 'super yeast' in hostile environments like extreme temperatures.
• The strain of yeast used in the project is the same as the microbe used in bread production and beer brewing. The synthetic yeast strains have potential to be used to improve existing industrial processes and possibly in new ones to generate fuels, chemicals, and medicines in a more environment-friendly way.
• The Synthetic Yeast Genome Project aims to build the first synthetic eukaryotic cell from scratch, with the yeast containing seven lab-made chromosomes. The engineered yeast cell is anticipated to unlock answers to longstanding questions of cell function and could be utilized as micro-producers of complex drugs or biofuels.
• The construction and implementation of all 16 synthetic chromosomes into a single yeast cell is about halfway complete. The scientists expect to complete the project in a year or two. This milestone in bioengineering could open new avenues for human health improvement, potentially enabling better gene therapies and testing of disease-driving mutations.

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