The minimal genome concept

Complete genome sequences are becoming available for a large number of dive rse species. Quantification of gene content, of gene family expansion, of o rthologous gene conservation, as well as their displacement, are now possib le laying the ground for the estimation of the minimal set of proteins suff icient for cellular life. The consensus of computational results suggests a set close to 300 genes. These predictions will be evaluated by engineering of small bacterial genomes.