title: Molecular biology of mycoplasmas: from the minimum cell concept to the artificial cell.
abstract: Mycoplasmas are a large group of bacteria, sorted into different genera in the Mollicutes class, whose main characteristic in common, besides the small genome, is the absence of cell wall. They are considered cellular and molecular biology study models. We present an updated review of the molecular biology of these model microorganisms and the development of replicative vectors for the transformation of mycoplasmas. Synthetic biology studies inspired by these pioneering works became possible and won the attention of the mainstream media. For the first time, an artificial genome was synthesized (a minimal genome produced from consensus sequences obtained from mycoplasmas). For the first time, a functional artificial cell has been constructed by introducing a genome completely synthesized within a cell envelope of a mycoplasma obtained by transformation techniques. Therefore, this article offers an updated insight to the state of the art of these peculiar organisms' molecular biology.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de Blumenau, Rua São Paulo, 2171, Campus III, 89030-000 Blumenau, SC, Brasil, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de Blumenau, Blumenau SC , Brasil.
authors.forename: Caio M M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cordova
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de Blumenau, Rua São Paulo, 2171, Campus III, 89030-000 Blumenau, SC, Brasil, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de Blumenau, Blumenau SC , Brasil.
authors.forename: Daniela L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hoeltgebaum
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Rua Delfino Conti, s/n, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brasil, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis SC , Brazil.
authors.forename: Laís D P N
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Universidade de Blumenau, Rua Antônio da Veiga, 140, Campus I, 89012-900 Blumenau, SC, Brasil, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Universidade de Blumenau, Blumenau SC , Brasil.
authors.forename: Larissa Dos
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D058045:Artificial Cells; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D008973:Tenericutes / Q000235:genetics*