BIOTECHNOLOGY66
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY &
BIOENGINEERING
25
, SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY &
BIOENGINEERING
1. Introduction to Synthetic Biology
Synthetic Biology (SynBio) is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology, engineering,
computer science, and biotechnology to design and construct new biological parts, genetic
circuits, and organisms, or to redesign existing biological systems.
Key Goals
Build predictable, programmable biological systems
Create new functions not found in natural organisms
Improve biological production systems (drugs, fuels, enzymes)
Major Components
1. Genetic Circuits
Like electronic circuits but made of DNA
Contain promoters, repressors, activators, reporters
Used for logic gates (AND, OR, NOT)
2. Standard Biological Parts (BioBricks)
Modular DNA sequences with defined functions
Used like “Lego blocks” in engineering biology
3. Minimal Cells
Cells with only essential genes (e.g., JCVI-syn3.0)
4. Genome Editing Tools
CRISPR-Cas9
Zinc-finger nucleases
TALENs
Base & Prime editors
2
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY &
BIOENGINEERING
25
, SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY &
BIOENGINEERING
1. Introduction to Synthetic Biology
Synthetic Biology (SynBio) is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology, engineering,
computer science, and biotechnology to design and construct new biological parts, genetic
circuits, and organisms, or to redesign existing biological systems.
Key Goals
Build predictable, programmable biological systems
Create new functions not found in natural organisms
Improve biological production systems (drugs, fuels, enzymes)
Major Components
1. Genetic Circuits
Like electronic circuits but made of DNA
Contain promoters, repressors, activators, reporters
Used for logic gates (AND, OR, NOT)
2. Standard Biological Parts (BioBricks)
Modular DNA sequences with defined functions
Used like “Lego blocks” in engineering biology
3. Minimal Cells
Cells with only essential genes (e.g., JCVI-syn3.0)
4. Genome Editing Tools
CRISPR-Cas9
Zinc-finger nucleases
TALENs
Base & Prime editors
2
