An international team of researchers replaced almost a third of the genetic material in bakers Yeast, and created a synthetic chromosomes with DNA. Experts at the Imperial College in London, and the University Of Edinburgh, announced that they will develop artificial yeast on a large scale. It means Scientists are a step away from developing artificial life after building yeast DNA from scratch for the first time.
The future of artificial yeast
Professor Patrick Cai of the University of Edinburgh says that he is excited about the project, and will create an entire organism in his lab.
He believes that the artificial yeast could make bread more nutritious. At the same time, his experiment raises fear because the same DNA-swapping procedure could create various harmful viruses and bacteria. Thus, it is important that experts insert new DNA into yeast, and remove that which is unnecessary. Patrick says that he will collaborate with biologists of the Imperial College in London in the future. He aims to make artificial yeast free from germs, including harmful viruses and bacteria. If he succeeds, this artificial yeast is likely to be available at all food stores.
Normal growth of yeast cells
According to Professor Paul Freemont, who was not involved in the research but is co-director of the Center for Synthetic Biology and Innovation, the creation of artificial yeast represents an advance in our abilities to synthesize the blueprint of life.
Experts believe that yeast cells with different synthetic chromosomes grow better than yeast cells with the same synthetic chromosomes. So, Patrick Cai of the University of Edinburgh will carry out his research on yeast cells with different synthetic chromosomes. He says that scientists first created life in the lab about a decade ago.
In those days, a single bacterial cell was produced by experts at the J Venter Institute. He will continue his work on the yeast that could manufacture painkillers, nutritious bread, antibiotics, and biofuels. Also, Patrick aims to build whole sections of DNA to prevent diseases like cystic fibrosis.
