Installation of genomes or partial genomes into cells or cell-like systems

• US 20070269862A1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J. Craig Venter Institute
• Original Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
• Inventors: Glass, John, Young, Lei, Hutchison, Clyde, Lartigue, Carole, Smith, Hamilton, Assad-Garcia, Nacyra, Venter, J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,434,974 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/69.100
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2510/00 Genetically modified cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 21/02 having a known sequence of two or more amino acids, e.g. glutathione

Abstract

A method is provided for introducing a genome into a cell or cell-like system. The introduced genome may occur in nature, be manmade with or without automation, or may be a hybrid of naturally occurring and manmade materials. The genome is obtained outside of a cell with minimal damage. Materials such as a proteins, RNAs, polycations, nucleoid condensation proteins, or gene translation systems may accompany the genome. The genome is installed into a naturally occurring cell or into a manmade cell-like system. A cell-like system or synthetic cell resulting from the practice of the provided method may be designed and used to yield gene-expression products, such as desired proteins. By enabling the synthesis of cells or cell-like systems comprising a wide variety of genomes, accompanying materials and membrane types, the provided method makes possible a broader field of experimentation and bioengineering than has been available using prior art methods.

Claims

1. A method for making a synthetic cell, the method comprising:

obtaining a genome that is not within a cell; and

introducing the genome into a cell or cell-like system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein introducing the genome further comprises introducing the genome into a cell containing a genome, and further comprises allowing the cell to divide into a daughter cell with the naturally occurring genome of the parent cell, and a synthetic daughter cell with the introduced genome.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein introducing the genome further comprises introducing the genome from a cell of one species into a cell of a different species.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the genome comprises naked DNA.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the genome comprises a naturally occurring genome.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the genome comprises a manmade genome.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the genome comprises a hybrid genome comprising one or more naturally occurring components and one or more manmade components.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the genome comprises one or more nucleic acid sequences providing one or more features other than a genetic sequence.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the genome comprises a minimal genome.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the genome is a partial genome, comprising one or more chromosomes or chromosome fragments.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell-like system comprises a membrane-bound volume.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell-like system comprises a lipid vesicle.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell-like system comprises a cell from which one or more intracellular components has been removed.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell-like system comprises a cell from which the genome has been removed.

15. The method of producing a product of interest, comprising culturing one or more synthetic cells produced by the method of claim 1 under conditions effective to produce the product.

16. A synthetic cell produced by obtaining a genome that is not within a cell, and introducing the genome into a cell or cell-like system.

17. The synthetic cell of claim 16 wherein the obtained genome is a partial genome, comprising one or more chromosomes or chromosome fragments.

18. The synthetic cell of claim 16 wherein the genome is obtained from a cell of one species and introduced into a cell of another species.