Humans learn to "write life passwords"
Humans learn to "write life passwords"
March 14, 2017 Source: Yangcheng Evening News
Window._bd_share_config={ "common":{ "bdSnsKey":{ },"bdText":"","bdMini":"2","bdMiniList":false,"bdPic":"","bdStyle":" 0","bdSize":"16"},"share":{ }};with(document)0[(getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||body).appendChild(createElement('script')) .src='http://bdimg.share.baidu.com/static/api/js/share.js?v=89860593.js?cdnversion='+~(-new Date()/36e5)];Chinese scientists have successfully synthesized four artificially designed Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes using chemical substances; humans have taken another big step toward the dream of "Life 2.0"
Team members of Shenzhen Huada Gene Research Institute conducted yeast identification experiments in the laboratory of the institute Xinhua News Agency
Dr. Dai Junxi showed the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain in the culture dish.
Can life be designed and recreated? Chinese scientists successfully synthesized four artificially designed Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes using chemical substances. The results of the study were published in the internationally renowned academic journal Science. China has thus become the second country with the ability to design and build eukaryotic genomes after the United States.
The researchers said that if the genome sequencing is like "reading the life password", the gene combination achievement is "writing the life password", from "reading" to "writing", human beings have taken another big step toward the dream of "life 2.0".
A From "reading" to "writing": a huge leap in life understanding
According to researchers from Tianjin University, Tsinghua University and Shenzhen Huada Gene Research Institute, this study uses small molecule nucleotides to accurately synthesize active eukaryotic chromosomes, and the resulting genome can well regulate yeast function.
At the same time, the synthetic chromosomes have been carefully designed to remove DNA that the researchers consider useless, and artificial joints have been added, reducing the overall length by 8% compared to the native chromosome.
"The value of artificially synthesized chromosomes lies in the realization of the manipulation of genes." Yuan Yingjin, a professor at the School of Chemical Engineering at Tianjin University, said that if the synthesized chromosome is identical to the replaced natural chromosome, it is simply "know" but redesigned. The chromosomes and the cell activity ensure that the researchers have begun to "know why".
In 2010, for the first time, American scientists implanted a synthetic genome into a prokaryotic bacterium, opening the door to chemical synthesis. However, eukaryotes, including animals, plants and fungi, have more complex chromosomes and are more difficult to design and synthesize.
Yuan Yingjin said that this study solved the basic scientific problems of synthesizing single-cell eukaryotes and provided more knowledge reserves for the design and construction of complex eukaryotic cells in the future.
Yang Huanming, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that after mastering the secrets of gene sequences, researchers will also verify and correct their understanding of the genome through a series of processes in the design, construction and testing of chromosomes.
"If the genome sequencing is 'read the life password', the gene combination achievement is in the 'write life password', from reading to writing, is a huge leap." Yang Huanming said.
B “Life 2.0â€: It is expected to solve human medical problems
Because Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a model organism commonly used in genetic research, the synthetic Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome can provide research and treatment models for medical problems faced by humans such as epilepsy, cancer, mental retardation and aging.
Yuan Yingjin, for example, can use yeast cells to study chromosomal abnormalities. If the genomic inactivation point of cells is found and repaired, it is expected to treat dysplasia caused by chromosomal abnormalities.
“Like building a house, humans start from natural caves, building materials are getting better and better, and the form is getting more and more beautiful. Life is the same. Through artificial design and chemical re-engineering, in the future, it can be imagined that there are 2.0 and 3.0, and the version is getting higher and higher.†Yingjin said.
In addition, Saccharomyces cerevisiae itself has enormous potential for industrial development. Shen Wei, head of the Huada Gene Synthetic Biology Project, said that with the application of biotechnology, Saccharomyces cerevisiae can theoretically synthesize all the organic matter that humans depend on for survival. For example, the synthesis of artemisinin with yeast has been industrialized, and the cost is much lower than traditional plant extraction. However, due to the fragility of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the harsh environmental requirements, its application range has been limited.
Yang Huanming believes that when scientists fully master the technology of designing and synthesizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes, it is easier to improve the ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to adapt to the environment, so that the fermenter can produce more diversified and cheaper food and energy.
"Imagine a kind of bacteria that can quickly break down the waste or absorb it all." Dai Junxi, a researcher at the School of Life Sciences at Tsinghua University, said scientists hope to use synthetic biotechnology to solve the problems faced by humans such as pollution and energy shortages. Adding more designs to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome can help researchers understand more biological issues.
C Create life? At present, there is still no way to "be born out of nothing"
However, although the synthetic Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes are delicately designed, they are still imitations of natural chromosomes. "Our understanding of life is far from enough, and we can't do 'nothing out of nothing'." Dai Junxi said.
Dai Junxi likened it to "Second-hand room decoration": the style can be changed, but the room is still the original room, not from the beginning to build a house.
In addition, scientists are currently focusing on designing and constructing chromosomes, and then implanting artificially synthesized chromosomes into their original natural cells. "If the cells don't match, it's like a tractor engine installed in a car." Dai Junxi said that there is still a long way to go before redesigning and constructing the entire cell.
Yuan Yingjin said that through this research, non-living chemicals are assembled into chromosomes to find key factors that lead to cell death, cell inactivation, and growth defects. It is expected to achieve breakthroughs in artificial design and synthesis in the future. (According to Xinhua News Agency)
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