Researchers try to cut the genetic code from 20 to 19 amino acids
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/04/researchers-try-to-cut-the-genetic-code-from-20-to-19-amino-acids/
Researchers try to cut the genetic code from 20 to 19 amino acids
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/04/researchers-try-to-cut-the-genetic-code-from-20-to-19-amino-acids/
6 Comments
They changed a bacteria’s DNA so it can live and grow without using tryptophan, reducing its required building blocks from 20 amino acids to 19. Yes, the stuff that makes you sleepy from Thanksgiving turkey.
As someone who knows a family dealing with Down syndrome, stuff like this gives real hope. It’s not just theory anymore ,they’re actually doing it in lab cells. Insane progress.
Kinda mind-blowing how far we’ve come from basic gene editing to snipping out extra chromosomes. Makes you wonder what other ‘incurable’ conditions might become treatable soon
This is one of those things that sounds small but probably has huge implications. Like messing with the “alphabet” life uses feels kinda wild. Curious what breaks when you remove one though, evolution didn’t pick 20 for no reason.
Then that bacteria consumes some protein compounds from a fungus that causes genetic instability, gets infected by a virus, mutates and everybody dies, the end.
Shrinkflation coming for us all!
AI is behind this research?