Minimal Genome Project sorts can help in Colonization of Mars

We have read that in 2010, as part of the Minimal Genome Project, a team of the J. Craig Venter Institute synthesized a modified version of the 1,000,000 base pair Mycoplasma mycoides genome and implanted it into a DNA-free bacterial shell of Mycoplasma capricolum; the resulting organism was shown to be self-replicating, known as Mycoplasma laboratorium or Synthia.

• Mycoplasma laboratorium, nicknamed “Synthia” is controlled by what the group calls “genetic software”.
• Recently, the scientists have been claiming that these synthetic organisms engineered to use carbon dioxide as a raw material could help humans settle Mars one day.
• Craig Venter, who made headlines last year by creating the world’s first synthetic organism, claims that his team is now trying to design cells that can use atmospheric carbon dioxide to make food, fuel, plastics and other products.
• It will not only have huge implications on Earth, but it could also help make Mars — whose thin atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide — a more livable place.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2011