Synthetic Genomics | Annex
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“What I cannot create, I do not understand,” as said by the physicist Richard Feynman, synthetic biology has
become an important tool not only to uncover the design principles of natural biologic systems, but also to
explore novel biologic functions and systems not found in nature.
Bayer TS (2010)
Synthetic biology is the design and construction of biological systems guided by engineering principles, with
the aim of understanding biology or producing useful biological technologies. While a precise definition and
scope has been discussed elsewhere [14,15], in broad terms synthetic biology encompasses a wide range of
focus areas, including alternative chemistries, artificial cells, self-replicating macromolecules, and in silico life
forms.
Chen et al. (2010)
Second, synthetic biology is developing principles and tools to design and assemble precisely controllable
elements and modules for re-programming cellular metabolism and its control circuits [10–16]. Synthetic
biology aims to design and fabricate biological components and systems that exist or do not exist in nature for
various engineering applications.
Grünberg and Serrano (2010)
Synthetic Biology aims to prepare the ground for the routine engineering of complex biological systems
(13,15).
2011
Synthetic biology
Achbergerová and Nahálka (2011)
“Synthetic biology” is a scientific area that includes two intentions. One area uses unnatural molecules to
reproduce emergent behaviours in natural biology with the goal of creating artificial life. The other area seeks
interchangeable parts from natural biology to assemble systems that function unnaturally [117]. In both cases,
the intentions are focused on a better understanding of life and on the use of knowledge for a commercial
benefit. For example, the design and construction of minimal cells, one main goal of synthetic biology [118],
would be beneficial for the biotechnology industry. / This is very interesting for design of minimal cells, a main
goal of synthetic biology.
Cambray et al. (2011)
The term ‘pipe’ refers to the biological transformation of one organic compound to another through an
enzymatic reaction, whereas ‘program’ refers to sophisticated logical systems, such as those that underlie
microbial homeostasis in complex environments. Synthetic Biology seeks to enable the design of sophisticated
cellular programs for beneficial
applications spanning health, energy, agriculture and the environment.
Current
technological and scientific barriers limit the complexity of the programs that can be reliably designed and
proven to be stable and safe after deployment. The systematic development of standard genetic components
coupled with emerging methods of multiplexed directed evolution should provide the knowledge and tools
necessary to bootstrap a virtuous cycle of genome refactoring and functional expansions. A sustained
endeavor will be necessary to cross the uncanny valley of imperfect designs, till the community gathers
enough tools and knowledge to enable efficient, robust and verifiable engineering of desired phenotypic
behaviors