Massively has the latest Warhammer Online news, guides and analysis!

Scientists create synthetic DNA using off-the-shelf chemicals

Posted: Jan 25th 2008 4:37PM by Chris Sparling
Filed under: Health and Technology, Health in the Media, HealthWatch

In a story that sounds more like the plot of a science-fiction movie, the L.A. Times reported yesterday that scientists have for the first time have constructed the entire genome of a bacterium, using off-the-shelf chemical compounds. This breakthrough is a key step toward their ultimate goal of creating synthetic life forms.

According to a referenced article that appeared in the journal Science, the man-made DNA was nearly identical to the natural version on which it was based -- with minor modifications to identify it and render it harmless to people.

What's next for this synthetic DNA? Combining it with living cells, of course. The research team at the J. Craig Venter Institute in Rockville, Md., is now trying to insert the artificial DNA inside a living cell with the hope that it will take over its host and become the first synthetically created, self-replicating organism.

Related Headlines



That's Fit Features





How many calories burned? What is my BMI?
More weight loss tools!


Features
AOL Health Bloggers (58)
Ask Fitz! (79)
Ask Laura! (27)
ATIO: Summer Quick Fix Challenge (6)
ATIO: Wednesday Weigh-In (4)
ATIO: Weekly Weight-loss Results (4)
Celebrity Fitzness Report (43)
Daily Fit Tip (429)
Diet Derailers (6)
Fit Beauty (92)
Fit Factor (98)
Fit Gadgets (32)
Fit Kicks Videos (9)
Fit Links (100)
Fit Mama (10)
Fit Pregnancy (22)
Fitku (14)
FitSpirit (46)
FitTV (8)
Fitzness Fiends (52)
Gut Busters (4)
Healthy Handful (11)
How Many Calories? (108)
Jogging for Normal People (18)
Jumpstart Your Fitness (89)
Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis (106)
Life Fit with Laura Lewis (57)
Meet the Bloggers (20)
One Small Step (7)
Podcasts (43)
Recipe Rehab (23)
Retro Review (3)
Road To Fitville (16)
Stress Less (37)
Taking Off Ten (12)
That's Fit In The Field (4)
The 5 (42)
The Daily Turn On! (114)
The Good, The Fat and The Hungry (13)
Tuck It In (17)
Walking the Walk (2)
We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs (71)
We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs Weekly Roundup (37)
Week In Review (64)
Working In the Workouts (55)
Workplace Fitness (90)
You Are What You Eat (68)
Your Turn (40)
Healthy Living
Alternative Therapies (303)
Book Reviews (99)
Celebrities (947)
Cellulite (236)
Diet and Weight Loss (2544)
Eco-Travel (81)
Emotional Health (1299)
Fit Fashion (90)
Fitness (3872)
Food and Nutrition (4595)
General Health (5569)
Giveaways (10)
Health and Technology (673)
Health in the Media (1287)
HealthWatch (468)
Healthy Aging (757)
Healthy Events (164)
Healthy Habits (2157)
Healthy Home (459)
Healthy Kids (1610)
Healthy Places (251)
Healthy Products (963)
Healthy Recipes (354)
Healthy Relationships (312)
Men's Health (1539)
Natural Beauty (231)
Natural Products (243)
Obesity (320)
Organic (222)
Spirituality and Inspiration (288)
Stress Reduction (547)
Sustainable Community (242)
Vegetarian (307)
Vitamins and Supplements (283)
Women's Health (2097)
Work/Home Balance (198)

RESOURCES

Powered by Blogsmith

Daily Fit Tip

Endurance athletes are some of the most disciplined, dedicated people. Tap into that mojo by...

 

Featured Stories

Sponsored Links

Most Commented On (60 days)

Recent Comments


Aches, pains? Find out what your symptoms mean:

Sites We Love

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in: