Generating E. coli 0.5 controlled by a half-sized genome
Genome synthesis is a major limitation in generative biology. Here, the half-sized genome of Escherichia coli was constructed by fleshing out an imperfect minimal genome through genome-scale debugging process. Our platform consists of integrated development environment (IDE) and runtime environment (RTE). The genome IDE supported the cell-free assembly of 200-300 kb plasmids and their in vivo fusion into a single 1.7 Mb plasmid. This imperfect genome was stably maintained in E. coli as a guest genome. The RTE relies on the restriction enzyme-mediated self-digestion of the host genome in the presence and absence of the RecA recombinase. The guest genome was tested, debugged, and partially replaced by the host genome to establish E. coli controlled by a 2.3-Mb genome. This is less than half in size of the wildtype and the smallest ever reported. Enfleshing a guest genome will facilitate genome printing that transforms AI-designed genomes into physical ones.