Scientists build chromosome in the lab | The University of Edinburgh Skip to main content Toggle section links Study Global Visit Research News About Alumni Local Staff Students Schools & departments MyEd Search: Search News Menu News home 2014 news Scientists build chromosome in the lab Home News 2014 news Scientists build chromosome in the lab Contact us Scientists build chromosome in the lab Edinburgh scientists have helped build a fully functioning chromosome from scratch. Biologists have successfully constructed one of the complex thread-like structures that carry genes in yeast. An international team of scientists redesigned a chromosome found in brewer’s yeast using computer software, and rebuilt it by piecing together a series of short segments they made in the lab. Function in cells Our Synthetic and Systems Biology Institute is really at the forefront of synthetic genomics, and we are glad to be part of this landmark paper. Dr Patrick Yizhi CaiSchool of Biological Sciences The synthetic structure was shown to function like an ordinary chromosome when it was transplanted into living yeast cells, which survived and grew as normal. The study marks the first time that scientists have rebuilt a chromosome from a class of complex organisms - known as eukaryotes - which includes animals, plants and humans. Researchers have previously recreated chromosomes found in bacteria and viruses. Landmark step Experts say the achievement is an important step forward in the emerging field of synthetic biology. It is believed microorganisms like yeast could be modified in similar ways to produce biofuels, food and medicines. The re-design and re-synthesis of the yeast genome could also lead to new ways of probing fundamental biological questions. The seven year study, published in the journal Science, was carried out in collaboration with universities in the US, China, Australia, and Singapore. Edinburgh was the only UK institution involved in the research. Future research The study forms part of a larger project coordinated by the University - known as Sc2.0 - which aims to design and build a new yeast strain which is entirely synthetic. Dr Patrick Yizhi Cai is the international coordinator of the Sc2.0 consortium. The Cai lab is currently working on construction of the largest synthetic chromosome as well as generating completely novel mini chromosomes using a combination of software design and robotics. This team effort has led to a truly remarkable achievement that will pave the way for many future discoveries in biology, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this new chapter. Dr Patrick Yizhi CaiSchool of Biological Sciences Related Links School of Biological Sciences The Patrick Yizhi Cai lab Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology Biological sciences - undergraduate study Biological, biomedical and life sciences - postgraduate study This article was published on 5 Apr, 2016 The University of Edinburgh Terms & conditions Privacy & cookies Complaints procedure Modern slavery Website accessibility Freedom of information publication scheme Data Protection MyEd login The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336, VAT Registration Number GB 592 9507 00, and is acknowledged by the UK authorities as a “Recognised body” which has been granted degree awarding powers. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all material is copyright © The University of Edinburgh 2022. CMS login
