Synthetic Biology: Implications and Uses

Abstract

Synthetic biologyAn effort to construct biological systems, which may include entire biosynthetic pathways, synthetic organelles and cellular structures, and whole organisms, that have medical, industrial, and scientific applications. This is achieved via the application of engineering principles, such as hierarchical design, modular reusable parts, the isolation of unrelated functions, and standard interfaces. Synthetic cellA cell that is controlled solely by a genome that was assembled from chemically synthesized pieces of DNA. DNA assemblyThe building of larger DNA fragments from smaller DNA fragments. CircuitsA collection of various modular component parts that responds to an input signal that is then relayed to produce an output signal. CompartmentalizationThe spatial sequestering of substrates, intermediates, products, enzymes, and activities.Synthetic biology is an effort to construct and engineer biological systems, ranging from individual genetic elements, to biosynthetic pathways, to whole organisms. The results of these engineering efforts can be of great value to human interests such as medicine and industry. In this chapter, advances in DNA assembly technologies are reviewed, and how these advanced DNA assembly technologies, in conjunction with the application of engineering principles such as modular parts, have facilitated the rational engineering of organisms to obtain desired functions or to understand complex cellular behavior, are highlighted. The recent creation of a synthetic cell is also described. Finally, the societal concerns posed by synthetic biology are discussed.