Decoding the Minimum Genome

Your genome contains all of your genetic information, and it's pretty long - the Human Genome Project estimated that humans have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes. But according to synthetic biology, you can survive on only 473 genes! At least a very simple bacterium can. Of this "minimal genome", scientists previously didn't know what nearly a third actually did. Now Mark Wass has been telling Heather Jameson how his team at the University of Kent may have cracked 66 of the mystery genes... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists