Integrative analysis and genome engineering of the near-minimal bacterium Mesoplasma florum

The near-minimal bacterium Mesoplasma florum is an interesting model for synthetic genomics and systems biology due to its small genome (~800kb), fast growth rate as well as the possibility to perform whole-genome cloning and transplantation with this organism. We recently reported a detailed characterization of M. florum describing several physical and physiological parameters of this bacterium, including cell size, growth kinetics, and biomass composition of the cell. Using this experimental data as a foundation, we also developed a genome-scale model for M. florum and now perform genome engineering in this simple organism.