Scientists create first ‘designer’ chromosome

Herald Sun ^ | March 29, 2014 2:02am PDT | AFP

[blueplum]

SCIENTISTS have created the first man-made chromosome for a complex-celled organism — a feat hailed as a big step towards acquiring the controversial ability to redesign plants or animals.

A synthetic chromosome was inserted into a brewer’s yeast cell, which functioned as normal — the key test of success, the international team has reported in the journal Science.

“Our research moves the needle in synthetic biology from theory to reality,” said Jef Boeke, director of the New York University’s Institute for Systems Genetics, who was a member of the research team.

:snip:

“It is the most extensively altered chromosome ever built,” said Boeke.

“We have made over 50,000 changes to the DNA code in the chromosome and our yeast is still alive. That is remarkable.”

Yeast shares about a third of its 6,000 genes — units of the chromosome that carry the instructions for cell function — with humans.

[blueplum]

amazing stuff

[blueplum]

fyi

[BRK]

Soon they will create the ultimate human. The answer to all the world's problem and who will be worshiped by all.

Just saying.

[Tucker39]

All they did was monkey around with an EXISTING chromosome. They didn’t CREATE anything.

[knarf]

I don't understand it, ... he was such a nice boy ... well behaved.
We went to church every week and he served in the choir.
He was an A honors student and had a lot of friends
He and his girlfriend were to be married next year after he graduated from college and it appeared he would be suna cum laude.

I just don't understand ..

Why ...

WHY ...

would he vote democrat ?

[ronnie raygun]

When they promote this as for the good of mankind, evil is the intention and not far behind.

[Telepathic Intruder]

So what’s taking so long with the man-eating tomatos?

[bert]

Who knows what evil?

Sorry, couldn’t resist

[Caipirabob]

I have always thought that Alan Moore's "Miracleman" was one of the more compelling stories of "The Superman" or "The Overman" in modern literature.

Old German: "Overman, you have come as last!"

Miracleman: "Yes. You can go now." *SPLOOSH*

Kid Miracleman: "Oh my. What do I have to do to get your attention?!?" (it's raining human ears, hands and feet over London...)

[Marie]

It’s a strain of altered yeast that is responsible for almost all insulin that’s used in this world. Very cool.

[bert]

The goal is to produce a strain of yeast that will reduce the carbon content of fermented products. A “green” beer, one not having so much objectionable CO2 emission would be a sure seller.

[CincyRichieRich]

Being God or attaining God status never has pleased God in the past...building Tower of Babel didn’t turn out well and neither will this. No, I am not saying curiosity should cease; God wants us to ponder, wonder and try to figure out his majesty and wonder, but BEING God never turns out well.

[bert]

what does God have to do with it?

[SunkenCiv]

Hey, this could be the beginning of the end of hair loss, obesity, and (ironically) fertility problems. :') Thanks blueplum.

[Vaduz]

A synthetic chromosome what could go wrong?.

[ElkGroveDan]

Did someone say "Designer chrome?"

[Lady Jag]

DNA is an abbreviation for deoxyribonucleicantidisestablishmentarianism, a complex string of syllables

[SunkenCiv]

http://llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch.info/scripts/index.php

[lonevoice]

That’s the only important question. I’m glad someone had the good sense to ask it. :)

[kitchen]

Right. Nothing like a Schlitz or Bud with no head.