Synthetic yeast genomes for studying chromosomal features

De novo synthesis of a genome makes it possible to probe fundamental biological questions that are experimentally inaccessible with traditional approaches. For example, the functions of genomic features such as the repetitive nature of the ribosomal rRNA coding sequences, the pervasive presence of transposons, and the universal existence of introns and splicing machinery in eukaryotic systems were deliberately tested in the on-going Synthetic Yeast Genome Project (Sc2.0). In this review, we summarize these genomic features, which are analyzed through careful design in synthetic genomics projects up to now. Further reprogramming of these features and beyond could provide insights into corresponding biological processes in other organisms.