10 top scientific stories 2014 - #8Full synthetic Chromosome of Yeast

[rwatts]

Source: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientific-american-s-top-10-science-stories-of-2014/?page=3

First Synthetic Chromosome of Yeast Made [Video] - #8

What does it take to build the first chromosome of complex cellular life from scratch? Hundreds of college kids. In March undergraduate students in Johns Hopkins University's Build a Genome course announced success in re-creating yeast's chromosome 3, which controls sexual reproduction.

The students synthesized the bases—the A, C, T and G molecules—in sequence and inserted them into yeast in chunks. The yeast’s own DNA repair system then knit the DNA into the existing genome; over time the natural chromosome was thus replaced with the human-made one. The hope is that such manipulation will lead to tests of specific genes and a better understanding of "junk" DNA, cell division and evolution itself. And it marks the first time in history such a chromosome has been synthesized by humans and adopted by yeast, which serves as one of biotechnology’s model organisms.

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I see that Philae made it at number 2.

I note that the landing was named "Physics World Breakthrough of the year":-

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/45511232.cms

[shunyadragon]

Source: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientific-american-s-top-10-science-stories-of-2014/?page=3

First Synthetic Chromosome of Yeast Made [Video] - #8

What does it take to build the first chromosome of complex cellular life from scratch? Hundreds of college kids. In March undergraduate students in Johns Hopkins University's Build a Genome course announced success in re-creating yeast's chromosome 3, which controls sexual reproduction.

The students synthesized the bases—the A, C, T and G molecules—in sequence and inserted them into yeast in chunks. The yeast’s own DNA repair system then knit the DNA into the existing genome; over time the natural chromosome was thus replaced with the human-made one. The hope is that such manipulation will lead to tests of specific genes and a better understanding of "junk" DNA, cell division and evolution itself. And it marks the first time in history such a chromosome has been synthesized by humans and adopted by yeast, which serves as one of biotechnology’s model organisms.

© Copyright Original Source