Is it possible to create life in a laboratory? To answer this question, at the beginning of the 21st century, researchers began analyzing simplified genomes to determine the minimum number of genes required for a cell to survive. In 2016, for the first time, a functional bacterium with a synthetically designed genome was successfully created in a laboratory.
This achievement demonstrated that it is possible to design and control an organism's genetic information. The results of these investigations marked the beginning of the synthetic biology era and hold significant potential for future applications.
The video series Scientific Milestones of the 21st Century from Zientzia Kaiera explains the major scientific discoveries and advancements of recent decades. This episode is a collaboration between Órbita Laika and the Chair of Scientific Culture at the UPV/EHU.
