Behind the ideas and methods dealing with genomic changes, a new concept emerges in the life sciences: synthetic biology. This goes beyond classical (molecular) biology, as it combines engineering design strategies with the construction of biological systems and cells at the genetic level. Bioinformatic methods are used to model changes and their effects, and the use of standardized parts, called modules, is intended to increase the predictability of the results. Overall, Synthetic Biology uses methods from many different scientific disciplines to create a broad range of potential applications. It should be stated that a plan per se can not be assigned to synthetic biology in principle, but the resulting development if it follows the engineering concept.
Synthetic biology serves basic and applied research. It demonstrates new ways of exploring the origin of life and its underlying processes. One goal is to create and use biological systems with tailored functions. These include systems that process information, produce or modify chemicals, generate materials and structures, and generate energy. Utilizing synthetic biology, e.g., new pharmaceuticals, vaccines, or food additives, are produced. Synthetic biology can help to relieve natural resources, e.g., Alternatives to fossil fuels are presented, and to improve human health.
The importance and possibilities of synthetic biology are also reflected in the fact that more and more scientists are working in this field of research. Thus, since the beginning of the 21st century, the number of scientific publications dealing with synthetic biology has risen from about 700 per year to more than 7000 per year in 2019. An overview of the critical developments in synthetic biology will be shown in future articles. Some applications of synthetic biology already have a marketing authorization and can be viewed here.
The development of fundamental technologies in the genome and molecular biology paved the way for the rapid growth of synthetic biology. After the initial construction of rather simple modules, the research and the possible applications became more and more complex. The different colors each represent one of the five fields of research in synthetic biology. Digits indicate sources to the original literature or reviews; E. coli - Escherichia coli, S. cerevisiae - Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Research interests in Synthetic Biology
There is no universal definition of Synthetic Biology. In particular, synthetic biology is not a limited field of research; it is understood in science as a conceptual approach. The fields of application of Synthetic Biology are often divided into several areas. An overview and application examples are shown below.
Legal Regulation of Synthetic Biology
There is no specific regulation in the US or Europe for the safety assessment of synthetic biology. Since most research approaches in synthetic biology generate genetically modified organisms (GMOs), their potential risk can be assessed using existing methods.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has commissioned companies to monitor developments in the field of synthetic biology to expertly and critically monitor current scientific developments in the various areas of research. The monitoring also serves to identify potential biosafety impacts that would require adaptation of existing regulations. In this context, the organization examines whether the scope of the GenTG covers the research projects.
Both reports state that current research approaches in synthetic biology are covered by existing legislation, in particular, the risk assessment is carried out by comparing the nucleic acid sequence of the resulting organism with the sequences of the starting organisms that were used for the production of the organism. The produced organism is a GMO if (compared to the parent organisms) there are genetic alterations that can not occur naturally by crossing and / or natural recombination.
Synthetic biology serves basic and applied research. It demonstrates new ways of exploring the origin of life and its underlying processes. One goal is to create and use biological systems with tailored functions. These include systems that process information, produce or modify chemicals, generate materials and structures, and generate energy. Utilizing synthetic biology, e.g., new pharmaceuticals, vaccines, or food additives, are produced. Synthetic biology can help to relieve natural resources, e.g., Alternatives to fossil fuels are presented, and to improve human health.
The importance and possibilities of synthetic biology are also reflected in the fact that more and more scientists are working in this field of research. Thus, since the beginning of the 21st century, the number of scientific publications dealing with synthetic biology has risen from about 700 per year to more than 7000 per year in 2019. An overview of the critical developments in synthetic biology will be shown in future articles. Some applications of synthetic biology already have a marketing authorization and can be viewed here.
The development of fundamental technologies in the genome and molecular biology paved the way for the rapid growth of synthetic biology. After the initial construction of rather simple modules, the research and the possible applications became more and more complex. The different colors each represent one of the five fields of research in synthetic biology. Digits indicate sources to the original literature or reviews; E. coli - Escherichia coli, S. cerevisiae - Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Research interests in Synthetic Biology
There is no universal definition of Synthetic Biology. In particular, synthetic biology is not a limited field of research; it is understood in science as a conceptual approach. The fields of application of Synthetic Biology are often divided into several areas. An overview and application examples are shown below.
Legal Regulation of Synthetic Biology
There is no specific regulation in the US or Europe for the safety assessment of synthetic biology. Since most research approaches in synthetic biology generate genetically modified organisms (GMOs), their potential risk can be assessed using existing methods.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has commissioned companies to monitor developments in the field of synthetic biology to expertly and critically monitor current scientific developments in the various areas of research. The monitoring also serves to identify potential biosafety impacts that would require adaptation of existing regulations. In this context, the organization examines whether the scope of the GenTG covers the research projects.
Both reports state that current research approaches in synthetic biology are covered by existing legislation, in particular, the risk assessment is carried out by comparing the nucleic acid sequence of the resulting organism with the sequences of the starting organisms that were used for the production of the organism. The produced organism is a GMO if (compared to the parent organisms) there are genetic alterations that can not occur naturally by crossing and / or natural recombination.
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