Synthetic biology (SynBio) is a multidisciplinary area of research that seeks to create new biological parts, devices, and systems, or to redesign systems that are already found in nature.It is a branch of science that encompasses a broad range of methodologies from various disciplines, such as biotechnology, genetic engineering, molecular biology, molecular engineering, systems biology, membrane science, biophysics, chemical and biological engineering, electrical and computer engineering, control engineering and evolutionary biology.
Due to more powerful genetic engineering capabilities and decreased DNA synthesis and sequencing costs, the field of synthetic biology is rapidly growing. In 2016, more than 350 companies across 40 countries were actively engaged in synthetic biology applications; all these companies had an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion in the global market
Synthetic biology currently has no generally accepted definition, and it is defined in various ways depending on the specific discipline or use. Because it is an emergent area of research, utilized in multiple fields of study, numerous definitions are found in literature. Yet, all definitions touch upon a common concept: the creation of new biological systems via the synthesis or assembly of artificial or natural components.
Here are a few examples of the various definitions:
"the use of a mixture of physical engineering and genetic engineering to create new (and, therefore, synthetic) life forms""an emerging field of research that aims to combine the knowledge and methods of biology, engineering and related disciplines in the design of chemically synthesized DNA to create organisms with novel or enhanced characteristics and traits""designing and constructing biological modules, biological systems, and biological machines or, re-design of existing biological systems for useful purposes"
“applying the engineering paradigm of systems design to biological systems in order to produce predictable and robust systems with novel functionalities that do not exist in nature” (The European Commission, 2005)This can include the possibility of a molecular assembler, based upon biomolecular systems such as the ribosomeTo note, synthetic biology has traditionally been divided into two different approaches: top down and bottom up.The top down approach involves using metabolic and genetic engineering techniques to impart new functions to living cells.The bottom up approach involves creating new biological systems in vitro by bringing together 'non-living' biomolecular components, often with the aim of constructing an artificial cell.Biological systems are thus assembled module-by-module. Cell-free protein expression systems are often employed, as are membrane-based molecular machinery. There are increasing efforts to bridge the divide between these approaches by forming hybrid living/synthetic cells, and engineering communication between living and synthetic cell populations