Scientists create first synthetic cell

The original Mycoplasma mycoides cells Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA Photograph: Science/AAAS/guardian.co.uk 'Synthetic' M. mycoides cells, stained blue, after the new genome was incorporated Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA Photograph: Science/AAAS/guardian.co.uk Scanning electron micrograph of the new cells Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA Photograph: Science/AAAS/guardian.co.uk The cells were shown to be dividing normally, under the direction of their synthetic genome Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA Photograph: Science/AAAS/guardian.co.uk A schematic diagram showing how the genome for M. mycoides was assembled bit by bit inside yeast cells. The yellow circles are new sequences, including four 'watermarked' regions to distinguish the new organism from the original Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA Photograph: Science/AAAS/guardian.co.uk The cells contain 'watermark' DNA sequences unique to the new organism, in which are encoded the names of the researchers, literary quotes and an email address to contact the researchers if you crack the code Photograph: Science/AAAS/PA Photograph: Science/AAAS/guardian.co.uk