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Synthetic Biology

Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary science that involves using principles from disciplines such as engineering, molecular biology, cell biology, and systems biology. It involves remodeling existing organisms from nature or constructing completely new synthetic organisms for applications such as protein or enzyme production, bioremediation, value-added macromolecule production, and the addition of desirable traits to crops, to name a few.
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...

In-vitro Mutagenesis

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.

In vitro Mutagenesis

In vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.

Transgenic Organisms

Transgenic Organisms

Recombinant DNA

Recombinant DNA

The Central Dogma

The Central Dogma

The central dogma explains the flow of genetic information from DNA nucleotides to the amino acid sequence of proteins.
RNA is the Missing Link Between DNA and Proteins
In the early 1900s, scientists discovered that DNA stores all the information needed for cellular functions and that proteins perform most of these functions. However, the mechanisms of converting genetic information into functional proteins remained unknown for many years. Initially, it was believed that a single gene is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

A Multilayer Microfluidic Platform for the Conduction of Prolonged Cell-Free Gene Expression

A Multilayer Microfluidic Platform for the Conduction of Prolonged Cell-Free Gene Expression

Published on: October 6, 2019

Synthetic biology projects in vitro.

Anthony C Forster¹, George M Church

¹Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. a.forster@vanderbilt.edu

Genome Research

|December 8, 2006

Summary

Scientists are advancing in vitro synthesis of DNA, RNA, and polypeptides to build novel biopolymers and organisms. This research aims to create life-like systems for knowledge, tools, smart materials, and therapies.

Area of Science:

Synthetic biology
Biochemistry
Molecular biology

Background:

In vitro synthesis and evolution of nucleic acids and polypeptides are rapidly advancing.
The integration and debugging of known biological functions are key to creating novel systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To accelerate the construction of biopolymers, pathways, and organisms with novel functions.
To synthesize life-like systems for diverse applications.

Main Methods:

In vitro synthesis of DNA, RNA, and polypeptides.
Evolutionary engineering approaches.
Systems integration and debugging.

Main Results:

Accelerated construction of biopolymers and pathways.

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Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials

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Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

A Multilayer Microfluidic Platform for the Conduction of Prolonged Cell-Free Gene Expression

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Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials

Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials

Published on: March 9, 2017

Rapid Characterization of Genetic Parts with Cell-Free Systems

Rapid Characterization of Genetic Parts with Cell-Free Systems

Published on: August 30, 2021

Emergence of organisms with novel functions.

Development of life-like systems.

Conclusions:

Advances in synthetic biology enable the creation of functional biopolymers and organisms.
Life-like systems synthesized in vitro hold potential for knowledge discovery, tool development, smart materials, and novel therapies.