Extended data
Artificial living cells, also known as artificial life, artificial bacteria and artificial children, are the first artificial life-the birth of single-celled bacteria completely controlled by artificial genes, which was announced to the world by American scientists on May 20th, 20 10 and named as "artificial children".
Scientists first select a bacterium named Mycoplasma mycoides, decode its genome, and copy it to produce a synthetic genome. Then, the artificial genome was transplanted into another bacterium called Mycoplasma caprae. Through division and proliferation, the cells inside bacteria are gradually controlled by artificial genes, and finally become a brand-new life. In Petri dishes, synthetic bacteria divide and move like natural bacteria.
Application prospect
Although this technology is still in the experimental stage, researchers believe that its application prospect is broad.
The research team plans to synthesize the least number of life genes, and then make up for other genes to create a series of new microorganisms, such as bacteria that can produce biofuels, useful drugs, bacteria that can absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air, or protein needed to make synthetic vaccines.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Artificial Living Cells
Baidu Encyclopedia-Autologous Living Cell Transplantation