Synthetic biology

Synthetic biology aims to create novel biological functions and tools by modifying or integrating well-characterized biological components (i.e. genes, promoters) into higher order genetic networks using mathematical modeling to direct the construction towards the desired end product. Much of the terminology and theory of synthetic biology is derived from circuit theory. As an example of a synthetic network, an artificial bistable toggle switch was constructed in E._coli using two genes and two engineered promoters. This toggle switch has subsequently been used to engineer cells that form biofilms in response to DNA-damaging agents. A similar system if created for humans might one day serve as a tool in gene therapy as a predictable tool for regulating the administration of a temporally needed protein.

Contents

1 Historical overview 2 Current focus 3 Future directions 4 See also 5 External links

Historical overview

Monod

Current focus

Future directions

gene therapy, bioremediation

See also

• Bioinformatics
• Systems biology
• Biorobotics

External links

• Synthetic Biology in Practice: A Blog
• 'Artificial life' comes step closer (Saturday, 18 December, 2004)
• MIT Synthetic biology group
• Synthetic biology at Berkeley Lab
• Jim Collin's Lab at Boston University