Mycoplasma laboratorium

Overview
Mycoplasma laboratorium is a potential synthetic species of bacterium derived from the genetic code of Mycoplasma genitalium that is being developed by the J. Craig Venter Institute.

A synthetic chromosome was created by a team of approximately twenty scientists headed by Nobel laureate Hamilton Smith, and including controversial DNA researcher Craig Venter and microbiologist Clyde A. Hutchison III. The chromosome contains a genomic sequence of 381 genes and has 580,000 base pairs. This genetic code is intended to then transplanted into the nucleoid of a M. genitalium cell.

The resultant bacterium is expected to be able to replicate itself with its man made DNA, making it the most fully synthetic organism to date, although the molecular machinery and chemical environment that would allow it to replicate would not be synthetic.

Venter hopes to be able to use the bacterium to manufacture hydrogen and biofuels, and also to absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The J. Craig Venter Institute filed patents for Mycoplasma laboratorium genome (the "minimal bacterial genome") in the U.S. and internationally in 2006. This extension of the domain of biological patents is being challenged by the watchdog organization Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration.

Related publications

 * US Patent Application: 20070122826
 * US Patent Application: 20070122826
 * US Patent Application: 20070122826