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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science

Scientists create first synthetic cell

Science: Scientists create first 'synthetic' cell
The original Mycoplasma mycoides cells
Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA
Science: Scientists create first 'synthetic' cell
'Synthetic' M. mycoides cells, stained blue, after the new genome was incorporated
Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA
Science: Scientists create first 'synthetic' cell
Scanning electron micrograph of the new cells
Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA
Science: Scientists create first 'synthetic' cell
The cells were shown to be dividing normally, under the direction of their synthetic genome
Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA
Science: Scientists create first 'synthetic' cell
A schematic diagram showing how the genome for M. mycoides was assembled bit by bit inside yeast cells. The yellow circles are new sequences, including four 'watermarked' regions to distinguish the new organism from the original
Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA
Science: Scientists create first 'synthetic' cell
The cells contain 'watermark' DNA sequences unique to the new organism, in which are encoded the names of the researchers, literary quotes and an email address to contact the researchers if you crack the code
Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA
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