Researchers from the "Artificial Yeast Genome Project" recently published a paper in the US journal Cell, stating that they have successfully manufactured half natural and half synthetic yeast strains in the laboratory. This yeast strain contains 7.5 artificially synthesized chromosomes, which not only survive but also replicate like natural yeast strains. The "Artificial Yeast Genome Project" was initiated by Jeff Burke, a member of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States. The project involves research institutions from multiple countries such as the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and France. It is the first attempt by humans to modify and synthesize eukaryotes from scratch, aiming to redesign and synthesize all 16 chromosomes of brewing yeast. Previously, the research institution of this project had successfully synthesized all 16 chromosomes of brewing yeast and created 16 partially synthesized yeast strains, each containing 15 natural chromosomes and 1 synthetic chromosome. Researchers hybridized these partially synthesized yeast strains and searched for individuals carrying two synthetic chromosomes in their offspring. When integrating synthetic chromosomes, the research team discovered some genetic defects that are not visible in yeast strains carrying only one synthetic chromosome. By using techniques such as gene editing, researchers have fixed some defects and improved synthetic yeast. Then, the cultivated offspring strain is added with another synthetic chromosome, and so on. They ultimately obtained a yeast strain with 7.5 synthetic chromosomes, which had the same survival and replication ability as natural yeast strains. Researchers believe that this achievement has ushered in a new era of engineering biology - from repairing a few genes to designing and constructing the entire genome from scratch. Next, the research institutions in this project will strive to integrate the remaining synthetic chromosomes into the yeast strain. (New News Agency)