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Retrospective source review
Earlier records were checked against available source text. Corroborated core results do not establish engineering readiness, exact experiment dates or independent replication. Records needing corrections or further evidence are held in the research archive.
J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) · 20 May 2010
Synthetic Bacterial Genome (JCVI-syn1.0)
Creation of the first self-replicating cell controlled by a chemically synthesized genome (Synthia).
HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONSynthetic biologySCIENTIFIC_RESULTconfidence: high
Search window: 1900-01-01 → 2026-08-23Record: 20260922_013112_historical_synthetic-biology.json
Why it matters
It fundamentally proved that biological life can be instantiated and controlled via a synthetic, digitally-designed genome, establishing the foundational engineering paradigm for the entire field of synthetic biology.
Verified claims
Successful creation of a self-replicating organism, Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0, using a chemically synthesized genome.
Limitations
- Laboratory-scale demonstration only
- Restricted to single-celled Mycoplama mycoides
- Demonstrates genome control but does not establish multicellular synthetic life
Sources
Creation of a Bacterial Cell Controlled by a Chemically Synthesized GenomeScience (published by AAAS) · 2010-05-20 · primary