Genome transplant
J. Craig Venter of human genome mapping fame has pulled off a major feat: the first genome transplant operation, albeit in a humble bacteria. Researchers at Venter’s private research institute transplanted all the DNA from one bacteria into another bacteria, which converted the recipient cells into replicas of the donor cells. The move is a step toward creating synthetic bacteria and viruses that could be used to make drugs and biofuels and clean up pollution. Here’s Scientific American’s write up.