with just 473 genes, it’s the smallest ge**me of any living, dividing cell found in nature and may provide important insights into the fundamental genetic requirements for life.
The idea of designing and studying a “minimal ge**me” is a concept that’s fascinated Scientists for decades. In fact, unlocking the secrets of the ge**me has been a preoccupation of genetic researchers since the first ge**me sequencing was performed on a bacterium in 1995 — the event that ultimately led to this week’s breakthrough, according to the new study’s authors. Read more...