Key Milestones in Synthetic Bacteria

• JCVI-syn1.0 (2010): The J. Craig Venter Institute built the first self-replicating cell controlled by a completely computer-designed, lab-synthesized genome placed into a stripped-down host bacterium.
• JCVI-syn3.0 (2016): Researchers trimmed the synthetic genome down to 473 essential genes to find the bare minimum components required for life.
• Synthetic E. coli (2019–2025): Scientists redesigned E. coli genomes from the ground up, reducing the number of genetic codons used to build proteins and creating strains like Syn57 that rely on a heavily compressed genetic code.
• Cyborg Bacteria (Recent): Researchers have embedded hydrogels into live E. coli to give them artificial abilities, such as resisting toxic environments or targeting tumor cells, though they cannot divide on their own.

(Reply to this) (Parent)