A genome synthesized entirely from scratch has been used to replace the native genome of a living cell, thus creating a new cell. This achievement marks a new frontier in synthetic biology to design and create genomes for organisms with few genetic tools and for applications in areas of energy, health care and the environment.

Correspondence M. A. J. Roberts [email protected] Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Garrod Building, Turner St., Whitechapel, London E1 2AD, UK Prokarium Ltd, Stephenson Building, Keele Science Park, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5SP, UK The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, ...