Can Cells Be Fully Programmed and Engineered?

Area of Science:

• Synthetic Biology
• Bioengineering
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Synthetic biology traditionally models cells on deterministic silicon computing.
• This approach overlooks cellular stochasticity and genome 3D organization, causing circuit failures.
• Historical computational models influenced early synthetic biology paradigms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a new paradigm for synthetic biology that leverages cellular complexity.
• To argue against forcing biological systems into rigid, deterministic frameworks.
• To highlight the potential of bio-physical hybrid entities and cyborg cells.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of existing synthetic biology approaches.
• Argument for steering biological complexity rather than strict programming.
• Discussion of bio-physical hybrid entities and cyborg cell applications.

Main Results:

• Identifies limitations of the silicon-based paradigm in synthetic biology.
• Proposes a shift towards harnessing cellular dynamics as a computational asset.
• Highlights the development of "cyborg cells" with augmented functions through bio-hybrid integration.

Conclusions:

• Engineering biology requires embracing life's dynamic nature, not imposing rigid constraints.
• Bio-physical hybrids and cyborg cells represent a promising frontier for advanced biological functions.
• Implementing robust biosafety measures, such as biocontainment, is essential for responsible deployment of engineered organisms.