Weird semi-synthetic bacteria churn out even weirder synthetic proteins
In the future unnatural synthetic bacteria, and nature, will be our factories, churning out everything from designer drugs and materials, to new types of synthetic proteins and much more.
Key takeaways
- When they placed these unnatural nucleotides into genes, bacteria could replicate the DNA and convert the sequences into RNA and then proteins that contained unconventional amino acids.
- Therefore, Lingjun Li, Floyd Romesberg and colleagues wanted to optimize the unnatural base pairs to improve protein production.
- The team then used these optimized base pairs to demonstrate, for the first time, a semi-synthetic organism that could make a protein containing multiple unnatural amino acids.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2020) 'Weird semi-synthetic bacteria churn out even weirder synthetic proteins', 311 Institute, 20 February. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/weird-semi-synthetic-bacteria-churn-out-even-weirder-synthetic-proteins/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Over the past year or so I’ve seen the development of a wide range of, frankly, really weird stuff, from the development of the world’s first six DNA base pair organisms, which was quickly followed by organisms with eight DNA base pairs, bearing in mind that we humans and every other organism on the planet has only four, all the way through to the world’s first semi-synthetic, and fully synthetic cells that can replicate themselves, and “unnatural” synthetic proteins that have no comparisons anywhere in nature. In short, we are now at the point of being able to create unnatural organisms unlike anything we’ve ever seen before that have completely unnatural properties and abilities that include, for example, being able to turn humans into supercomputers and that’s just the beginning.
Now, in another breakthrough in the sector researchers from the Scripps Research Institute in the US have announced in the Journal of the American Chemical Society that have “optimized a semi-synthetic bacteria to efficiently produce proteins containing unnatural amino acids.”
All of Earth's natural life forms store information using a four letter genetic code consisting of the nucleotides deoxyadenosine (dA), deoxyguanosine (dG), deoxycytidine (dC), and deoxythymidine (dT). Within the DNA double helix, dA pairs with dT, and dG with dC, to form the "rungs" of the DNA ladder. And recently, researchers have made synthetic nucleotides that can pair up with each other.
When they placed these unnatural nucleotides into genes, bacteria could replicate the DNA and convert the sequences into RNA and then proteins that contained unconventional amino acids. However, bacteria often cannot use these synthetic sequences as efficiently as the natural ones. Therefore, Lingjun Li, Floyd Romesberg and colleagues wanted to optimize the unnatural base pairs to improve protein production.
The researchers tested different combinations of unnatural base pairs in E. coli and observed which ones were replicated most efficiently and produced the highest levels of a protein. Some of the synthetic base pairs had been tested before, whereas others were new variations. The team then used these optimized base pairs to demonstrate, for the first time, a semi-synthetic organism that could make a protein containing multiple unnatural amino acids. And that’s game changing.
What this means for your organisation
Efficiency is the commercial gate.
Bacteria often cannot use synthetic sequences as efficiently as natural ones, which is why the team worked on optimisation. Yield decides whether laboratory work becomes a product. Manufacturing leaders should judge new biological routes on efficiency, not novelty.
Optimisation came from testing combinations.
The researchers compared different combinations, some tested before and some new, and kept those that performed best. That is systematic search rather than a single insight. Research leaders should fund the search phase, not only the discovery.
New building blocks mean new products.
Proteins with amino acids not found in nature could have properties existing ones do not. That matters for medicines and materials alike. Firms in both should watch which properties become achievable, and the oversight that will follow.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Do we judge new production routes on yield or on novelty?
- Do we fund systematic search as well as discovery?
- Which product properties would new building blocks give us?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
In the future unnatural synthetic bacteria, and nature, will be our factories, churning out everything from designer drugs and materials, to new types of synthetic proteins and much more.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Journal of the American Chemical Society dx.doi.org
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 20 February 2020. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2020). Weird semi-synthetic bacteria churn out even weirder synthetic proteins. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/weird-semi-synthetic-bacteria-churn-out-even-weirder-synthetic-proteins/
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