Trimming the genomic fat: minimising and re-functionalising genomes using synthetic biology

Xu, Xin; Meier, Felix; Blount, Benjamin A.; Pretorius, Isak S.; Ellis, Tom; Paulsen, Ian T.; Williams, Thomas C.

Abstract

Naturally evolved organisms typically have large genomes that enable their survival and growth under various conditions. However, the complexity of genomes often precludes our complete understanding of them, and limits the success of biotechnological designs. In contrast, minimal genomes have reduced complexity and therefore improved engineerability, increased biosynthetic capacity through the removal of unnecessary genetic elements, and less recalcitrance to complete characterisation. Here, we review the past and current genome minimisation and re-functionalisation efforts, with an emphasis on the latest advances facilitated by synthetic genomics, and provide a critical appraisal of their potential for industrial applications.

Citation

Xu, X., Meier, F., Blount, B. A., Pretorius, I. S., Ellis, T., Paulsen, I. T., & Williams, T. C. (2023). Trimming the genomic fat: minimising and re-functionalising genomes using synthetic biology. Nature Communications, 14(1), Article 1984. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37748-7

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 30, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Apr 8, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Apr 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 28, 2023
• Journal: Nature Communications
• Electronic ISSN: 2041-1723
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 1984
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37748-7
• Keywords: General Physics and Astronomy; General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; General Chemistry; Multidisciplinary
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/19454057
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37748-7
• Additional Information: Received: 17 November 2022; Accepted: 30 March 2023; First Online: 8 April 2023; : T.C.W. is a co-founder of Number 8 Bio Pty Ltd. The remaining authors declare no competing interests.