The first life form with 'alien' DNA

Organisms are defined by the information encoded in their genomes, and since the origin of life this information has been encoded using a two-base-pair genetic alphabet (A–T and G–C).

Researchers in California have for the first time created an organism whose genetic code comprises six letters, instead of four. This means that the bacterium, described in a study published in Nature today, is the first life form to contain artificial genetic building blocks.

scientists at the Scripps Research Institute have managed to add a single pair of artificial "X" and "Y" nucleotides to the genetic code of an E. Coli strain, reports The New York Times. And thus far, the bacteria appear to be reproducing normally and passing on the new X-Y pair to their offspring.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/7/5691744/scientists-create-life-form-with-alien-dna-six-letters

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v509/n7500/full/nature13314.html

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Remember,this is not just re-mixing various life forms (e.g. sphinx) but a totally new- artificial organism.
Organism which we- humans- have created, going beyond natural boundaries of 2 pairs.

A bit scary, but totally interesting. Like we are opening the door and stepping out into the vast and unknown territory

 

A mutant e-coli strain

Pffft, what could go wrong

 

Yes, e-coli part was the first thing my mind noticed with some displeasure.

Maybe, its the time, we need some framework or guidelines, to control the experiments?

The classic example is Plastic Invention. Today it has created a huge disposal problem.

 

lots of plants have up to 8 pairs of chromosomes, sounds interesting tho if it reads like it sounds. haven't read the article yet but i plan to

 

E. coli is one of the most studied organisms on the planet. most strains used in the lab are not pathogenic. i did some experiments using E. coli just this week, and i didn't even bother to wear gloves.

that's different from base pairs though. a DNA strand is made up of base pairs. the DNA is then compacted into a chromosome, which there are also pairs of. a lot of plants have "polyploidy" which is more than one pair of each chromosome...maybe that is what you're thinking of.

 

You should be more careful. E. coli happens

 

Polyploidy is what I was referring to, now I get what ur saying though...the actual bases that the DNA is encoded with...that's pretty crazy.