TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: Constructing a synthetic genome comprises assembling nucleic acid cassettes that comprise portions of the synthetic genome, where at least one of the nucleic acid cassettes is constructed from nucleic acid components that have been chemically synthesized or from copies of chemically synthesized nucleic acid components. The one or more of the nucleic acid cassettes are prepared by assembling chemically synthesized, overlapping oligonucleotides of about 50 nucleotides. The cassettes are about 4 to 7 or 4.5 to 6.5 kilobases in length. The cassettes are about 5 kilobases in length. The cassettes overlap adjacent cassettes by at least about 200 nucleotides. The synthetic genome is a eukaryotic cellular organelle. The synthetic genome is a bacterial genome. The synthetic genome is a minimal genome. The synthetic genome is a minimal replicating genome. The synthetic genome is substantially identical to a naturally occurring genome. The synthetic genome is a non-naturally occurring genome. The one or more of the cassettes can be readily removed and replaced in the synthetic genome. An entire synthetic genome is constructed from nucleic acid components that have been chemically synthesized, or from copies of the chemically synthesized nucleic acid components. The synthetic genome is a synthetic cellular genome. An entire synthetic cellular genome is constructed from nucleic acid components that have been chemically synthesized or from copies of the chemically synthesized nucleic acid components. The synthetic genome further comprises sequences that allow production of a product of interest. The product of interest is an energy source. The entire synthetic genome further comprises sequences that allow production of a product of interest. The product of interest is an energy source. The synthetic cellular genome further comprises sequences that allow production of a product of interest. The product of interest is an energy source. The entire synthetic cellular genome further comprises sequences that allow production of a product of interest. The product of interest is an energy source. The method further comprises rationally designing components of the synthetic genome. The method further comprises constructing a synthetic cell, by introducing the synthetic genome into a vesicle. The method further comprises constructing a self-replicating synthetic cell, by introducing the synthetic cellular genome into a vesicle, optionally under conditions effective for replication of the synthetic cell. The method further comprises producing a product of interest by culturing the synthetic cell under conditions effective to produce the product or by culturing the self-replicating synthetic cell under conditions effective to replicate the synthetic cell and to produce the product. The method further comprises automating the method. The method further comprises the synthetic cell. The method also comprises:(1) designing a synthetic genome;(2) constructing the synthetic genome;(3) introducing the synthetic genome into a biological system; and(4) expressing the synthetic genome.Making a synthetic cell comprises removing part or all of a resident genome from a microorganism and replacing the resident genome with a synthetic genome that exhibits at least one property that is different from the resident genome. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.