AI and Synthetic Biology: Ultra-Fast Dividing Microbes

NikoMcCarty · x · 2026-07-10

Cornell spin-off Forage has genetically engineered Vibrio natriegens. This microorganism divides extremely fast, reproducing roughly every 9 minutes and forming visible colonies within 4 hours.\n\nBeyond rapid growth, the engineered strain was given natural competence, meaning it can actively uptake and integrate exogenous DNA directly from its environment. This characteristic provides a powerful new tool for synthetic biology and bioengineering research.

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