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Project Information
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Open Source Genome Project intends to crowdsource the design of a minimal genome that is required for life using minimum nutrients. The minimal genome could later serve as a chassis that can be engineered for biofuel production or synthesis of other chemicals such as drugs. The initial minimal genome will be referred to as the genomecore1 (Bacterium libre). Biologists and non-biologists will be invited to go through a parts list of pathways or genes (and their functions) in this website and select pathways/ genes which they think will be essential for the minimal genome to survive. Other users will continuously review the proposed gene lists thereby leading to an evolution of the minimal genome. Genes will undergo natural selection based on how many positive/ negative reviews they get. Biologists will be invited to 'debugging jams/sessions' in which individuals can find missing or non-essential genes. Hopefully, after a period of time, the genome reviews will stabilize and at this point a major debugging jam as well as simulation will be held to determine whether the proposed minimal genome can support survival of a cell. If the minimal genome is found sufficient,considerations will be made for either the synthesis of the minimal genome from scratch or a closely related naturally occuring genome will be stripped of some genes to make the minimal genome. The Open Source Genome Project will continue to use the distributed knowledge of biologists to add additional components onto the minimal genome to enable its application in the efficient production of biofuels and drugs. |