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Synthetic biology aims to redesign and reconstruct biological systems for new, useful end goals. One of the ambitious projects currently underway is Sc2.0: the design and synthesis of a complete eukaroyotic genome - Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
This collection highlights the experimental work published in Nature Communications on redesigning the S. cerevisiae genome along with commentary from the community about the potential applications and implications of this work for synthetic biology, biotechnology and our understanding of the genome.
The Sc2.0 project has set out to synthesise the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome, with each chromosome redesigned along agreed principles. In this collection of papers, the researchers involved show how SCRaMbLE—Synthetic Chromosome Rearrangement and Modification by LoxP-mediated Evolution—can be used to rapidly reorganise the genome.
Synthetic biology often views the organism as a chassis into which a circuit can be inserted. Here the authors explore the idea of the organism as a core aspect of design, aiding researchers in navigating the genetic space opened up by SCRaMbLE.