Artificial life breakthrough after scientists create new living organism using synthetic DNA

In an important step to create artificial life, American researchers developed organisms that combine natural and artificial DNA to produce completely new synthetic proteins.

This research, published in Nature magazine, brings scientists closer to the development of custom designed proteins in laboratories.

A previous study by Chemistry Biologist Floyd Romsberg of Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California suggests that it is possible to extend the genetic characters of natural DNA beyond the current four letters: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), thymine (T)

In 2014, Romesberg et al created an E. coli strain containing two unnatural letters X and Y.

In a modern study, the Romesberg team showed that this partially synthesized E. coli form can obtain instructions for making new proteins from the genetic alphabet of this hybrid.

"It is the first time in history that a cell translated proteins using proteins other than G, C, A, T," says Robsberg.

In a phone interview, he said that although the actual change in living things is small, this feat is very important. "It was the first time in history that we changed our lives."

This is the goal that Robertsberg has been working on for the past 20 years. However, creating a new lifestyle is not important. Romesberg is interested in using this extended genetic alphabet to create new proteins that can be used to treat diseases.

In 2014, he founded a company called Synthorx Inc. And it is working on new protein therapy.

"Many proteins that we would like to use as pharmaceuticals are quickly removed in the kidneys," says Robsberg. The new system will allow scientists to adhere lipid molecules to drugs to make them longer in the body

Robertsberg noticed that the production of semisynthetic organisms may cause concern about mixed organisms spreading outside the laboratory but the systems they use are unlikely to escape

For example, in natural DNA, base pairs are attracted to each other by the bonding of hydrogen atoms. Romesberg X and Y bases are fascinated by a totally different process and therefore do not accidentally bind to natural bases.

In addition, semi-synthetic creatures can not live outside the laboratory because cells can not create their own X and Y unless specific chemicals are added.

Research on artificial life forms is the field of synthetic biology and focuses on custom life forms to tackle specific goals. In 2010, Craig Venter and colleagues presented the first synthetic organisms made from existing organisms by introducing synthetic DNA. Since then, researchers at Scripps, New York University, and Cambridge University have made various breakthroughs, such as creating extended artificial genetic code for their DNA, inserting artificial chromosomes, inserting custom chromosomes It was. In beer yeast, it will be handed down to future generations, creating the world's first enzyme made from artificial genetic material. But did all these studies fail in the hype of "creating a new life"?

This artificial life is a microorganism. Scientists are far from the ultimate goal of creating large synthetic organisms. Nonetheless, their aim proved to be theoretically viable. In a three-year feasibility study conducted by the Global Thinktank Millennium Project and the United Nations University, the Smithsonian Institute and the Futures Group, in a 2010 Future Status report, the International Synthetic Biologist stated I will. If code is used to create software that improves human ability, the genetic code is also written to create an organism to enhance civilization. "Three people believe that ultimately you can create synthetic DNA to achieve your greatest imagination.