Cells are capable of producing fuels and materials we struggle to replicate with chemistry alone. A study recently published in Nature Communications brings scientists closer to this goal by introducing a powerful new method for rewriting the genetic code of bacteria in a way intended to make them safer, more resilient and more useful than what is possible with conventional genetic engineering.

The new methodology is called SynOMICS — developing synthetic genomes through a multiomics-based iterative construction. The team used this to build and troubleshoot the rewritten genome piece by piece. Working with the JGI, they were able to synthesize the most difficult pieces of the genome. Advanced sequencing capabilities verified the work at every step. Learn more on the JGI’s website.