2 ms·
Why not let evolution help you, just grow a huge number of the currently "minimal" cell, sequence them all, and then repeat the experiment by replicating any mu
by csense 8y ago
Why not let evolution help you, just grow a huge number of the currently "minimal" cell, sequence them all, and then repeat the experiment by replicating any mutant with a smaller genome as the new "minimal" cell?
- kolinko 8y agoIt would be difficult to sequence millions/billions of cells to find the one with the shortest code. Also, a cell with minimal genetic code may not necessarily have the best survival skills, so it may die off if it's in the same setting as other ones. You would need to deliver some sort of an evolutionary pressure to the cells to shed any unnecessary genetic material.