What is Synthetic Biology1

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What is Synthetic Biology? “Synthetic biology is the engineering of biology: the synthesis of complex, biologically based systems, which display functions that do not exist in nature.” “Biology as technology” used to manufacture devices and Synthetic biological systems. And for reprogramming natural biological systems. “Synthetic biology is concerned with 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.” (Synthetic Biology: Applying Engineering to Biology: Report of a NEST High Level Expert Group). 1 What is Synthetic Biology? A Scientist discovers that which exists; an Engineer creates that which never was. -- Theodore von Karman Synthetic Biology: Pioneer biocircuits (year 2000) Intro: Gene expression regulation: transcription factors. 1. 1-gene positive and negative feedback 2. Genetic logic gates. 3. Genetic toggle switch. 4. Repressilator. 5. Biomolecular automaton Gene expression regulation Gene transcription regulation: transcription factors Transcription factors Gene transcription regulation: transcription fa...