Synthetic Mycoplasma bacteria. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0 cells. This was the first self-replicating bacterium controlled by a synthetic genome. It was developed by scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute, and announced in May 2010. To produce the cells a genome based on the Mycoplasma mycoides genome was synthesised and inserted into a Mycoplasma capricolum shell that had had its genetic material removed. Magnification: x38,000 when printed at 10 centimetres across.