Creation of Chromosomes: Scientific Breakthrough Creates Artificial Life

An incredible scientific breakthrough has revealed the creation of a chromosome by New York University (NYU) scientists. According to researchers, they're taking these findings a step closer to the creation of artificial life--otherwise known as the first man-made chromosome for a complex-celled organism.

Director of NYU's Institute for Systems Genetics, Jef Boeke, notes that researchers have inserted a synthetic chromosome into a brewer's yeast cell that's function is similar to that of a normal cell.

Researchers successfully combined chromosomal strands with a more complex protein that created a total of 500 alterations to the original chromosome before its insertion into the brewers yeast. 

"When you change the genome, you're gambling...One wrong change can kill the cell" he notes, via nvonews.com, discussing the successful with the project.

As yeast has several useful functions, including the making of biofuel, medicines, and of course, beer, scientists now believe that it can be used more efficiently to work on genetic modifications.

Greenpeace scientist Janet Cotter also notes that these genetically modified organisms could potentially lead to the development of new drugs.

More information regarding the findigns can be seen via the journal Science.