That new bacterium species we synthesized

[firecat]

Link via brooksmoses

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100519/full/news.2010.253.html
(emphasis mine)

The custom-built genome is a near-exact replica of its natural counterpart, with just a few nonessential genes removed and a small number of sequence errors that don't affect the organism's function. The group also added four special 'watermark sequences' to help to distinguish it from the original version. The sequences contain a hidden code of names and sentences, along with a URL and an e-mail address for would-be decoders to contact.

.........

I don't know why, but that's the part that blows my mind the most.

(The icon is from a report about an earlier genetic experiment that gave trichromatic color vision to mice.)

Comments

[flarenut]

I wonder how long it will be before they make something that isn't just a copy of something else. They could probably combine genome fragments from a bunch of different bacteria and get something viable already.

Oh, yeah, and wipe out all the rest of the life on the planet...