Creating a virus-resistant bacterium using a synthetic engineered genome

Scientists engineered a model bacterium’s genetic code to make it virus-resistant and unable to exchange genetic material or grow without special media The Science Genome engineering allows scientists to modify the genetic code of microbes. Now, researchers have engineered the genome of the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) to make it immune to viral infections. These infections often cause bacterial cultures to fail. The researchers also equipped the engineered strain with safety features that block the unwanted transfer of genetic material to other bacteria. These features work as a biosecurity device to prevent the engineered bacteria from surviving outside the lab. To further enhance its biosafety, the researchers designed the strain to depend on an amino acid that is not found in nature. This amino acid must be supplied to the culture to allow the bacteria to grow. The Impact Biomanufacturing uses bacteria like E. coli as “bio-factories” to produce chemicals, biomaterials, and biofuels....