A viral genome with unnatural bases to expand the genetic code in eukaryotic host cells

Next to A, C, T and G, the genetic code can be expanded through the addition of novel molecules, so-called unnatural bases (UBs). This project will generate a UB-containing viral genome, which will be (i) introduced into human host cells to study crucial cellular processes and (ii) used to investigate whether the introduction of UBs can be developed into a biocontainment strategy. The proposed model virus creates a versatile and comprehensive platform to advance the field of synthetic biology.