The first custom built chromosome

Biologists have created the first artificial chromosome. While previous work was done on bacteria and viruses, this time it’s a full chromosome from a single-celled eukaryotic organism — baker’s yeast. The new chromosome is 272,871 base pairs long and includes improved genes. They inserted the chromosome in an existing yeast cell and it replicated correctly.

They expect to have a yeast cell made of fully artificial chromosomes in 5 years.