Microbial diversity and complexity pose challenges in understanding the voluminous genetic information produced from whole-genome sequences, bioinformatics and high-throughput ‘-omics’ research. These challenges can be overcome by a core blueprint of a genome drawn with a minimal gene set, which is essential for life. Systems biology and large-scale gene inactivation studies have estimated the number of essential genes to be ∼300–500 in many microbial genomes. On the basis of the essential gene set information, minimal-genome strains have been generated using sophisticated genome engineering techniques, such as genome reduction and chemical genome synthesis. Current size-reduced genomes are not perfect minimal genomes, but chemically synthesized genomes have just been constructed. Some minimal genomes provide various desirable functions for bioindustry, such as improved genome stability, increased transformation efficacy and improved production of biomaterials. The minimal genome as a chassis genome for synthetic biology can be used to construct custom-designed genomes for various practical and industrial applications.
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November 2016
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Cover Image
Cover Image
Illustration of an agent-based model of engineered bacteria containing synthetic genetic circuits that enable communication via diffusive quorum sensing molecules. In this issue, Thomas Gorochowski reviews the use of agent-based modelling in synthetic biology and presents examples of the synthetic cellular systems amenable to this technique. For more information, please see pp. 325-336. Image provided by Thomas Gorochowski.
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Review Article|
November 30 2016
Construction of a minimal genome as a chassis for synthetic biology
Bong Hyun Sung
;
Bong Hyun Sung
1Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 3414, Korea
2Intelligent Synthetic Biology Center, Daejeon 34141, Korea
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Donghui Choe
;
Donghui Choe
3Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
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Sun Chang Kim
;
Sun Chang Kim
2Intelligent Synthetic Biology Center, Daejeon 34141, Korea
3Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
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Byung-Kwan Cho
2Intelligent Synthetic Biology Center, Daejeon 34141, Korea
3Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
Correspondence: Byung-Kwan Cho (email bcho@kaist.ac.kr).
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Essays Biochem (2016) 60 (4): 337–346.
Article history
Received:
February 16 2016
Revision Received:
September 26 2016
Accepted:
September 29 2016
Citation
Vitor B. Pinheiro, Bong Hyun Sung, Donghui Choe, Sun Chang Kim, Byung-Kwan Cho; Construction of a minimal genome as a chassis for synthetic biology. Essays Biochem 30 November 2016; 60 (4): 337–346. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20160024
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