In what could mark a turning point in modern biology, a team of scientists in the UK has officially begun work on building human DNA from scratch. Backed by a £10 million grant from the Wellcome Trust, the newly launched Synthetic Human Genome Project is being described as the world’s first serious attempt to assemble parts of human genetic code molecule by molecule. The research, which builds upon the legacy of the Human Genome Project completed 25 years ago, seeks to go beyond reading DNA to actually constructing artificial chromosomes. If successful, it could lead to next-generation therapies that regenerate damaged organs, treat age-related illnesses, and even correct genetic disorders.
