Watch Out Frankenstein: Venter's Startup Produces First Partially Synthetic Cell

 
A few weeks ago I heard a teaser on NPR regarding the first "artificial pancreas."  I briefly wondered how I'd managed to stray so far from the life sciences that I missed years of the necessary intermediate discoveries of proper DNA sequencing, programming, and production of individual functioning artificial pancreatic cells.  Of course, my Google search revealed that the invention was not a biological, living pancreas, but a computer that could take blood readings and calculate appropriate insulin infusions for diabetic patients.  Obviously, the invention represented great progress in improving the lifestyle of diabetics, but I found the term "artificial pancreas" a bit misleading.
Imagine my surprise when, this past weekend, a friend informed me that researchers had produced the first (partially) synthetic cell.  Perhaps not so surprising is that it was Craig Venter's La Jolla startup, of Human Genome Project fame, that reported the accomplishment.  The team spent 10 years and $40 million on the project, proceeding step by step toward their goal.  First, the team transplanted the entire genome of cattle cell into a goat cell, and watched the goat cell become a cattle cell (ie, produce proteins typical of a cattle cell instead of a goat cell).  Next, the team built a small bacterium's genome from scratch using lab-made DNA fragments. 
The question then became whether Venter's team could transplant the man-made DNA into a living cell.  The researchers built the complete genome of one species of a simple germ called Mycoplasma, and transplanted it into the cytoplasm of a different - but related - species of Mycoplasma.  As is typical in the world of science, the researchers failed in their first attempt.  A typo in the genetic code set the team back three months, but eventually they watched as the new cell produced only proteins found in the copied cell.
The finding that synthetic DNA can infiltrate and drive the activities of a living cell provides the foundation for the creation of organisms that work differently from the way nature intended.  Venter envisions a variety of positive uses for these partially synthetic cells, including new fuel production and new methods of cleaning polluted water.  President Obama has already asked his Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues to consider the benefits and risks of inherent to such discoveries in the field of biomedical engineering.  Obama aims to ensure that America reaps the benefits of the technology, while identifying ethical boundaries and minimizing medical, environmental, and security risks.  Venter assures doubters that he has updated and worked with the government throughout the project. 
Venter's team published their results in Science, and of course have all sorts of patents moving through the PTO.  It will be interesting to see how broadly the PTO allows the technology to be protected, and what effect the protection will have on innovation by other teams.  I also look forward to reading Bioethical Commission's report to ascertain whether the government plans to limit research and innovation in the field.  The technology has potential to do a lot of good, but also bestows great power and control on those who possess it.  Finally, and most relevant to the MassChallenge competition, the technology also demonstrates the progress that can be accomplished by one man and his startup.
 
By Amy Tindell. Amy is a fellow at MassChallenge with a B.A. in Cognitive Science from Dartmouth College. A PhD in Neuroscience and a J.D. in Intellectual Property from Boston College.