The team documented systematic 'bugs' and avoided pitfalls, noting issues like watermarks disrupting gene function and non-essential gene removals causing growth problems.

Dr. Hugh Goold led the synXVI chromosome work for the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The project explores next-generation crops, including plans to build the world’s first synthetic crop chromosome by constructing plant chromosomes inside yeast before transferring them to plant cells.

Macquarie University contributed to synthesising two chromosomes (about 12% of the project), applying design principles such as removing unstable elements, inserting watermarks, and enabling SCRaMbLE for gene rearrangement testing.

A Nature Biotechnology paper outlines lessons from a decade-long effort to build the world’s first synthetic eukaryotic genome, aiming to accelerate development of engineered organisms.

The Synthetic Yeast Genome Project (Sc2.0) united 200+ researchers from more than ten institutions to redesign and chemically synthesize all 16 baker's yeast chromosomes from scratch.

The team pursues a 'learning by building' approach to gain genetic insights that could deepen understanding of biology behind environments, food systems, and medicines.

They developed and shared advanced debugging tools, such as Pooled PCRtag Mapping and CRISPR D-BUGS, to screen for and pinpoint problematic genetic changes.

Researchers faced psychological and technical challenges in sustaining a long, slow-progress project and in maintaining cells that are difficult to grow.

Technical challenges included yeast’s inability to regenerate mitochondrial genomes, requiring genetic rescue and mitochondrial reintroduction via breeding.

The project involved rewriting the entire genome (12 million base pairs) rather than editing an existing one, assembling chromosomes in large chunks and integrating them using the cells’ own machinery.