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Escherichia coli, researchers incorporated several unnatural amino acids into bacterial proteins. STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/Science Source
New approach to rewriting bacteria’s genetic code could lead to novel medicines
Jun. 3, 2021 , 4:10 PM
Virtually all living organisms construct their proteins from combinations of 20 different amino acids. To add new amino acids to the mix, scientists have re-engineered genes and other bits of protein-building machinery, resulting in proteins with unique chemical properties useful in making drugs. But the work is laborious and can typically only add one new amino acid at a time.
Now, researchers have opened the floodgates to doing much more. They report today that a broad rewrite of a bacterium’s genome lets them add numerous novel amino acids to one protein. The work could open new ways to synthesize antibiotics and antitumor drugs.
Colorized scanning electron microscope image of E. coli
NIAID
Two years ago, scientists in Britain swapped out the DNA of the bacteria Escerichia coli for a genetic coding program that was entirely human-made. At the time, it was the largest and most complex synthetic genome ever created.
On Thursday, that same group of researchers at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology reported in Science that with continued tinkering, they’ve made their artificial life form virtually invincible to viral infection. Other adjustments to the bacteria’s designer genome endowed the bug with the ability to string together non-natural amino acids to produce proteins never before seen inside a living cell.
Removal of the 14-day limit for culturing human embryos is one of the main changes in the revised recommendations from the International Society for Stem Cell Research.