The choice of chassis organism is one of the most consequential decisions in any synthetic biology project. Common chassis organisms include Escherichia coli for its unmatched genetic toolkit and fast growth, Saccharomyces cerevisiae for eukaryotic protein processing and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status, and Bacillus subtilis for its secretion capabilities. Each chassis brings distinct advantages and limitations that shape what can be engineered and produced.
Ginkgo Bioworks operates one of the world's largest collections of engineered chassis organisms across its biofoundry network, optimizing strains for clients in industries ranging from fragrance to pharmaceuticals. Amyris built its commercial platform on engineered yeast strains, while companies like Zymergen explored less conventional chassis to access novel chemical diversity. The development of new chassis organisms, such as Vibrio natriegens with its exceptionally fast doubling time, and Pichia pastoris for high-titer protein production, continues to expand the options available to synthetic biologists.
Minimal genome projects have sought to create ideal chassis organisms by stripping away non-essential genes, leaving a streamlined cellular platform optimized for engineering. The J. Craig Venter Institute's creation of Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn3.0, a synthetic organism with the smallest genome capable of self-replication, demonstrated the feasibility of this approach. Such minimal cells could eventually serve as blank-slate chassis organisms with reduced metabolic burden and improved predictability for synthetic biology applications.