First, we need to unpack the words ‘synthetic biology.’ A good, concise definition is ‘the design and engineering of biologically based parts, novel devices and systems, as well as the redesign of existing, natural biological systems.’1 Note the key words design and engineering. The power of synthetic biology arises by bringing together biological research with the process of engineering.
The original ideas for modifying biological systems were developed more than 40 years ago, following the discovery of the structure and function of DNA. By using techniques such as restriction enzyme-based cloning, molecular biologists were able to ‘cut and paste’ DNA and thus modify the function of organisms.
From these first steps, the introduction of powerful engineering concepts to biology — such as abstraction, modularisation, characterisation, specification and validation — is of particular importance.2,3 This starts to allow biological systems to be deliberately designed and built to achieve certain desired characteristics in the same way we might design and build a computer from components — a very different approach from traditional biological research.
By taking this approach, we have the potential to address some of the most fundamental problems in the world today. As biological systems are globally ubiquitous, the ability to create desired characteristics can have a huge impact and outlines some of the application areas for synthetic biology across various industries and sectors.
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