Title

Building genomes to understand biology.

Authors

Coradini, Alessandro L. V.; Hull, Cara B.; Ehrenreich, Ian M.

Abstract

Genetic manipulation is one of the central strategies that biologists use to investigate the molecular underpinnings of life and its diversity. Thus, advances in genetic manipulation usually lead to a deeper understanding of biological systems. During the last decade, the construction of chromosomes, known as synthetic genomics, has emerged as a novel approach to genetic manipulation. By facilitating complex modifications to chromosome content and structure, synthetic genomics opens new opportunities for studying biology through genetic manipulation. Here, we discuss different classes of genetic manipulation that are enabled by synthetic genomics, as well as biological problems they each can help solve. Advances in our ability to manipulate genetics leads to deeper understanding of biological systems. In this Perspective, the authors argue that synthetic genomics facilitates complex modifications that open up new areas of research.

Subjects

BIOLOGICAL systems; CHROMOSOME structure; GENOMICS; GENOMES; BIOLOGY

Publication

Nature Communications, 2020, Vol 11, Issue 1, pN.PAG

ISSN

2041-1723

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1038/s41467-020-19753-2