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Updated: Jan 15, 2026
08:01
A Two-Step Strategy that Combines Epigenetic Modification and Biomechanical Cues to Generate Mammalian Pluripotent Cells
Published on: August 29, 2020
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Synthetic rewriting technologies in mammalian cells
Yuqi Wang1,2,3, Yali Cui1,2,3, Guang-Rong Zhao1,2,3
1State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
Nature Communications
|January 13, 2026
Summary
Synthetic rewriting technologies enable large-scale genome engineering in mammals. This review highlights breakthroughs in DNA assembly, transfer, and rearrangement for advancing mammalian functional engineering and biological insights.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic Biology
- Genomics
- Mammalian Cell Engineering
Background:
- Synthetic rewriting technologies facilitate de novo genome synthesis and modification.
- Progress in viruses, bacteria, and unicellular eukaryotes contrasts with challenges in mammalian cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key breakthroughs in synthetic rewriting technologies for mammalian systems.
- To explore emerging applications in constructing mammalian models and decoding genomes.
Main Methods:
- Megabase (Mb)-scale assembly of human DNA.
- Yeast-mediated DNA transfer techniques.
- Bottom-up construction of human artificial chromosomes (HACs).
- Genome-scale rearrangement strategies.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated Mb-scale assembly of human DNA.
- Successful yeast-mediated transfer of large DNA constructs.
- Development of bottom-up HACs for mammalian systems.
- Advancements in genome-scale rearrangement.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic rewriting tools are expanding functional engineering capabilities in mammals.
- These technologies offer deeper mechanistic insights into complex mammalian biological systems.
- Future applications include enhanced model construction and genome decoding.
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