Synthetic Genomics | Annex
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Synthetic biology, which aims to redesign biological systems for novel purposes and applications, enables the
transfer of a secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathway from its organism of origin into more amenable
heterologous hosts, where the compounds of interest or their precursors can be produced with desired titers
[2–7].
Peccoud and Isalan (2012)
Synthetic biology is an emerging transdisciplinary field at the intersection between many engineering and
scientific disciplines such as biology, chemical engineering, chemistry, electrical engineering, or computer
science. The scientific milestone that inspired the development of synthetic biology is often regarded as the
description of two artificial gene networks in the same issue of Nature in 2000.
Wohlleben et al. (2012)
Synthetic Biology now offers a new perspective to exploit this potential further by generating novel pathways,
and thereby novel
products, by combining different biosynthetic steps originating from different bacteria.
Benenson (2012)
One of the long-term goals in synthetic biology is the construction of large-scale gene networks to control and
manipulate cells. Such networks often tweak natural regulatory mechanisms, or ‘switches’, in order to achieve
the desired function”. … “Synthetic biology [1] is generally viewed as the successor of the venerable discipline
of genetic engineering. While genetic engineering has traditionally focused on manipulating and modifying
single genes or small numbers of genes to achieve a specific goal, synthetic biology practitioners attempt to
apply engineering concepts to medium and large-scale gene sets, resulting in engineered pathways and even
entire synthetic genomes.
Bubela et al. (2012)
The emerging interdisciplinary field of synthetic biology brings an engineering approach to biology. Individual
parts can be readily synthesized and combined in different biological arrangements to make useful products
such as biopharmaceuticals and biofuels. Synthetic biology spans from advanced genetic engineering, which
redesigns and fabricates existing biological systems, to the construction of new biological parts, devices and
systems that do not occur in nature Thus, framing synthetic biology is a combination of the old and the new,
with a change in mindset towards engineered systems.
Bugaj and Schaffer (2012)
Synthetic biology can potentially augment traditional gene therapy strategies by enhancing control of the
therapeutic gene to be expressed, for example through circuit architecture involving environmental sensing or
feedback, or through the use of inducible promoters responsive to orally administered small molecule pills.
Checa et al. (2012)
Synthetic biology is a new area of biological research and technology applying basic engineering principles like
modularization, rational design and modeling to the construction of complex biological networks with desired
properties and functionalities. The approach involves the design and generation of new biological parts from
natural existing components, that is, the building blocks necessary for the construction of such higher order
systems,
including genetic circuits, synthetic metabolic pathways and signaling systems.
Cobb et al. (2012)