Synthetic biology: an emerging engineering discipline

Area of Science:

• Synthetic biology as an emerging engineering discipline.
• Interdisciplinary approach combining biology and engineering principles.

Background:

• Biology presents unique engineering challenges due to incomplete understanding and manipulation tools.
• Synthetic biology is evolving from proof-of-concept to robust engineering platforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• Discuss progress and challenges in synthetic biology.
• Illustrate potential impacts of synthetic biology on biomedical engineering and human health.

Main Methods:

• Focus on core platforms for rational and high-throughput biological engineering.
• Development of enabling technologies across the biological design cycle.
• Emphasis on generalizable techniques and engineering mindset in biological applications.

Main Results:

• Advancement in DNA construction, parts libraries, and computational design tools.
• Development of interfaces for manipulating and probing synthetic circuits.
• Progress in creating rational and high-throughput biological engineering platforms.

Conclusions:

• Synthetic biology requires an engineering mindset for developing generalizable techniques.
• Significant potential for synthetic biology to impact biomedical engineering.
• Future applications of synthetic biology in advancing human health are promising.