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An ambitious new research project, SynHG (Synthetic Human Genome), is aiming to develop the foundational and scalable tools, technology and methods needed to synthesise human genomes. Through programmable synthesis of genetic material we will unlock a deeper understanding of life, leading to profound impacts on biotechnology, potentially accelerating the development of safe, targeted, cell-based therapies, and opening entire new fields of research in human health. Achieving reliable genome design and synthesis 玉米视频� i.e. engineering cells to have specific functions 玉米视频� will be a major milestone in modern biology. 

The five-year multi-centre research project 玉米视频� supported by 玉米视频10mn funding from Wellcome 玉米视频� involves researchers from the Universities of Cambridge, Kent, Manchester, Oxford, and Imperial College London. SynHG is led by Professor Jason Chin of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology; he was also recently announced as the founding Director of the Generative Biology Institute at the Ellison Institute of Technology, Oxford, and a Professor at the University of Oxford.

A dedicated social science programme, led by Professor Joy Zhang of the Centre for Global Science and Epistemic Justice at the University of Kent, runs throughout the project alongside the scientific development. The programme will work with civil society partners around the world to actively explore, assess and respond to the socio-ethical implications of tools and technologies developed by SynHG.

The benefits of human genome synthesis to research and beyond 
Since the completion of the Human Genome Project at the start of the century, researchers have sought the ability to write our genome from scratch. Unlike genome editing, genome synthesis allows for changes at a greater scale and density, with more accuracy and efficiency, and will lead to the determination of causal relationships between the organisation of the human genome and how our body functions. Synthetic genomes have the potential to open up brand new areas of research in creating targeted cell-based therapies, virus-resistant tissue transplantation and extensions may even enable the engineering of plant species with new properties, including the ability to withstand harsh climate. 

To date, scientists have successfully developed synthetic genomes for microbes such as E. coli. The field of synthetic genomics has accelerated in recent times, and advances in machine learning, data science and AI showing promise, with synthesised DNA becoming more widely available. However, today玉米视频檚 technology is not able to produce large, more complex sections of genetic material, such as found in crops, animals and humans. 

The research team are focusing on developing the tools and technology to synthesise large genomes exemplified by the human genome. Focusing on the human genome, as opposed to other model organisms such as mice, will allow researchers to more quickly make transformative discoveries in human biology and health.

 Professor Jason Chin, Founding Director of the Generative Biology Institute at EIT, Oxford, said: 玉米视频淭he ability to synthesize large genomes, including genomes for human cells, may transform our understanding of genome biology and profoundly alter the horizons of biotechnology and medicine. With SynHG we are building the tools to make large genome synthesis a reality, and at the same time we are pro-actively engaging in the social, ethical, economic and policy questions that may arise as the tools and technologies advance.  We hope that Wellcome玉米视频檚 support for this combination of approaches will help facilitate substantive societal benefit.玉米视频�

A bold, ambitious project facing complex scientific challenges 
SynHG focuses on developing the foundational tools and methods required to equip more researchers in the future. This research journey will potentially catalyse new technologies in the field of engineering biology, generating exciting discoveries about how cells use their genomes even before achieving complete genome synthesis. 

The team of researchers hope to provide proof of concept for large genome synthesis by creating a fully synthetic human chromosome, which makes up approximately 2% of our total DNA. Initially, the team hope to establish methods where small changes are made to the sequence of a chromosome with minimal onward effect on the proteins that it produces. 

Setting the foundation 玉米视频� testing the concept, iterating the methods, and embedding ethical considerations 玉米视频� could alone take many years. Even as engineering biology technologies improve, reliably building a complete synthetic human genome and meaningfully applying it to human health will likely take decades.

Michael Dunn, Director of Discovery Research at Wellcome, said: 玉米视频淥ur DNA determines who we are and how our bodies work and with recent technological advances, the SynHG project is at the forefront of one of the most exciting areas of scientific research. Through creating the necessary tools and methods to synthesise a human genome we will answer questions about our health and disease that we cannot even anticipate yet, in turn transforming our understanding of life and wellbeing.玉米视频� 

Professor Patrick Yizhi Cai, Chair of Synthetic Genomics at the University of Manchester said: "We are leveraging cutting-edge generative AI and advanced robotic assembly technologies to revolutionize synthetic mammalian chromosome engineering. Our innovative approach aims to develop transformative solutions for the pressing societal challenges of our time, creating a more sustainable and healthier future for all."

Embedding global socio-ethical discussions in scientific advancements 
To effectively translate scientific ambition into meaningful and potentially profound societal benefits, it is essential that there is proactive and sustained engagement with the evolving socio-ethical priorities and concerns of diverse communities. 

Wellcome is also funding Care-full Synthesis, a dedicated social research initiative conducting empirical studies with diverse publics worldwide. Led by Professor Joy Y. Zhang and hosted by the Centre for Global Science and Epistemic Justice (GSEJ) at the University of Kent, the project builds on GSEJ玉米视频檚 global network of academic, civil society, industry and policy partners to promote a new approach of science玉米视频搒ociety dialogue that is Open, Deliberative, Enabling, Sensible & Sensitive, and Innovative (玉米视频極DESSI玉米视频�). 

Professor Joy Zhang, Founding Director of the GSEJ at the University of Kent said: 玉米视频淲ith Care-full Synthesis, through empirical studies across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Americas, we aim to establish a new paradigm for accountable scientific and innovative practices in the global age玉米视频攐ne that explores the full potential of synthesising technical possibilities and diverse socio-ethical perspectives with care.玉米视频� 

Over the next five years, the team will undertake a transdisciplinary and transcultural investigation into the socio-ethical, economic, and policy implications of synthesising human genomes. The project places particular emphasis on fostering inclusivity within and across nation-states, while engaging emerging public玉米视频損rivate partnerships and new interest groups. 

Through the generation of rich empirical data, the team will develop a toolkit to enable effective integration of careful thinking into the management, communication, and delivery of human genome synthesis. This work aims to substantially expand the practice of accountable science and innovation, reflecting the complex realities of a hyperconnected yet ideologically fragmented world. Care-full Synthesis will achieve this by advancing a fresh approach to engaging with global communities, ensuring that fast-moving science is accompanied by robust social and legal deliberation, and identifying innovative strategies to co-ordinate regional and global governance accounting for diverse social priorities and scientific pathways.