Scientists are getting closer to rewriting the

Antiviral reports, epidemics may soon appear with the success of this project.

Not talking about tricks and tricks to make life easier, we are getting closer to the real meaning of the phrase "life hack" than ever before. Recently, a group of scientists have designed, although not yet complete, a synthetic Escherichia Ecoli gene can be used as a protein code table different from the code of life that we still know.

Up to 62,000 DNA fragments need to be changed, the resultant genome is the most complex genetic construction project to date. Scientists predict that this " E. coli " genome will be able to become a laboratory and a new industrial chemical manufacturing plant.

Professor George Church, who is behind the "hack" gene project.

Peter Carr, a Lincoln Technology Laboratory, who was not involved in the project, said that genome hacking with such a large scale was impossible, but now it's impossible."It is not easy, but we can redesign life to a certain extent, which can apply to the most basic things such as genetic code ."

The hacking of this gene is underway in the lab of Professor George Church at Harvard University. Taking advantage of the excess of genetic code, the language of DNA used to guide cells to synthesize proteins, scientists were able to do the unthinkable.

To produce proteins, cells read four letters of DNA in groups of bell rings (genetic code units). With all 64 possible ring tones, we already have enough data to encode 20 amino acids that are still present in nature, can even prevent the bell from marking the end of a gene segment. The result is a gene with a lot of ring tones, with only one amino acid.

Cells with this encoded gene fragment may be immune to viruses, these changes may also allow scientists to change the function of a ringing body, for example making them re-encode amino acids. New synthesis.

The cost of DNA synthesis has dropped significantly over the last decade.

To change many things in such genes, even with the most modern gene repair technology like CRISPR, it still seems impossible. But luckily, the cost of DNA synthesis has dropped significantly over the last decade. So instead of fixing each gene once, Church's team used machines to make a whole new genome.

After designing these new gene codes, the team conducted a partial introduction of E. coli and they looked carefully to make no genetic changes that would make the cell in danger. Although only 63% of encrypted genes have been tested, very few have caused problems, according to scientists' reports.

But this is not yet a new era of re-encoded cells that are immune to viruses and diseases. It still takes years to test, synthesize and assemble these new gene segments, says Peter Carr.

Bacteria E. coli.

Besides the high success rate, there are still concerns about the safety of genetic modification. Many argue that proteins do not come from nature, but the encoded E. coli produced will be toxic, and the resistance to the virus itself will give them a huge advantage if they escape. be outside the environment or attack the human body. Professor Church has also identified the danger that exists in his laboratory.

He also considered a safety measure for these bacteria. In a published study, Professor Church described a safe shutdown system that is thought to be very effective. The special nutrients to sustain the life of these bacteria do not exist in the wild; furthermore, the mutation of these cells is impossible and they cannot bind to the cells in nature. self-breeding.

Many scientists still express certain concerns about this safety system, including Peter Carr. He said: "Measures need to be carefully considered. Rather than asserting that it is" safe "or" unsafe ", it would be more useful to have a measure of their own risk."

There is no doubt that this is the breakthrough of George Church's biotechnology and research team, but we still need many years to see the research results in the most complete way.