Question

1)Based on what you know about the ability of microbes to mutate and adapt, are synthetic biology approaches such as these a guarantee that GM microbes will retain their engineered characteristics? Explain your answers.
(Don't answer in cursive) only give clear explained answers. no need for unnecessary extra s##t

Answer 1

The mutation rate in microbes is really fast as compared to humans or eukaryotic organisms. It has several reasons like absence of proofreading mechanism etc.

The rates can be highest in viruses that too retro viruses which have ssRna as genetic material , as RNA being more unstable.

In bacteria we have done genetic engineering like Agrobacterium , other strains of bacteria for lab use like in E. Coli species, and many more like Psuedomonas. pudida, aka superbug.

These organisms can keep the desired GE traits in lthem for long time. For many years atleast. It is not that likely that mutation can change bacteria every day, or month.

Apart from this there are many strains we look for which have lesser mutation rates also, which can be used for studying purpose for other commercial purpose for many years, unless they are kept in such environment which induces mutation in them artificially.