Focus
Focus on Synthetic Biology
- Focus issue:
- December 2009 Volume 27, No 12
The latest iteration of genetic engineering offers the prospect of the design and construction of new life forms from biological parts, devices and systems. Although still in its infancy, this focus discusses some of the progress in synthetic biology toward practical applications.
Editorial
Synthetic biology
Unbottling the genes - p1059
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1059
The ability to plug and play synthetic genes into minimized genomes promises to transform biological engineering.
Abstract - | Full Text - Unbottling the genes | PDF (118 KB) - Unbottling the genes
News
News Features
Synthetic biology
What's in a name? - pp1071 - 1073
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1071
Defining an emerging field can be challenging. Nature Biotechnology asked 20 experts for their views on the term 'synthetic biology'.
Abstract - | Full Text - What's in a name? | PDF (319 KB) - What's in a name?
Synthetic biology
Making green - pp1074 - 1076
Cormac Sheridan
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1074
Biofuels top the list of products for many biotech companies using advanced biological engineering. Cormac Sheridan examines the diverse commercial paths being taken to reach this goal.
Abstract - | Full Text - Making green | PDF (177 KB) - Making green
Synthetic biology
Biotech in the basement - pp1077 - 1078
Joe Alper
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1077
Do it yourself 'biohackers' want to break down institutional barriers and bring science to the people. But good intentions are up against the hard realities of doing science. Joe Alper reports, with additional reporting by Laura DeFrancesco.
Abstract - | Full Text - Biotech in the basement | PDF (143 KB) - Biotech in the basement
Opinion and Comment
Commentary
Synthetic biology
The changing economics of DNA synthesis - pp1091 - 1094
Robert Carlson
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1091
How are the economics of synthetic biology likely to develop in the coming years?
Abstract - | Full Text - The changing economics of DNA synthesis | PDF (241 KB) - The changing economics of DNA synthesis
Synthetic biology
Parts, property and sharing - pp1095 - 1098
Joachim Henkel & Stephen M Maurer
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1095
Synthetic biology should look to other industries' models for ownership and open sharing.
Abstract - | Full Text - Parts, property and sharing | PDF (207 KB) - Parts, property and sharing
Synthetic biology
Building outside of the box: iGEM and the BioBricks Foundation - pp1099 - 1102
Christina D Smolke
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1099
Innovative community efforts in academia and non-profits to engage student researchers, encourage open sharing of DNA constructs and new methodology as well as build a Registry of Standardized Biological Parts have been central to the emergence of synthetic biology.
Abstract - | Full Text - Building outside of the box: iGEM and the BioBricks Foundation | PDF (397 KB) - Building outside of the box: iGEM and the BioBricks Foundation
Synthetic biology
Our synthetic future - pp1103 - 1105
Nigel M de S Cameron & Arthur Caplan
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1103
Two prominent ethicists provide their views on the ethical debates surrounding synthetic biology.
Abstract - | Full Text - Our synthetic future | PDF (271 KB) - Our synthetic future
Synthetic biology
Should moral objections to synthetic biology affect public policy? - pp1106 - 1108
Gregory E Kaebnick
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1106
Moral concerns as to the relationship of synthetic biology with nature do not provide a convincing basis for more stringent regulatory oversight of the field.
Abstract - | Full Text - Should moral objections to synthetic biology affect public policy? | PDF (315 KB) - Should moral objections to synthetic biology affect public policy?
Synthetic biology
From synthetic biology to biohacking: are we prepared? - pp1109 - 1111
Gaymon Bennett, Nils Gilman, Anthony Stavrianakis & Paul Rabinow
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1109
The emergence of synthetic biology, and off-shoots such as DIYbio, make the need for a rigorous, sustained and mature approach for assessing, and preparing for, the broad range of associated dangers and risks all the more pressing.
Abstract - | Full Text - From synthetic biology to biohacking: are we prepared? | PDF (169 KB) - From synthetic biology to biohacking: are we prepared?
Features
Synthetic biology
Engineering a new business - pp1112 - 1120
Mike May
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1112
As the market for DNA on demand continues to grow, increases in the scale and efficiency of new genome engineering approaches promise to accelerate product discovery and even open up new commercial opportunities.
Abstract - | Full Text - Engineering a new business | PDF (766 KB) - Engineering a new business
Synthetic biology
The sorcerer of synthetic genomes - pp1121 - 1124
Andrew Marshall
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1121
J. Craig Venter reflects on an effort spanning decades to create a living cell from chemically synthesized building blocks.
Abstract - | Full Text - The sorcerer of synthetic genomes | PDF (321 KB) - The sorcerer of synthetic genomes
Synthetic biology
Recent patent applications in synthetic biology - p1127
doi:10.1038/nbt1209-1127
Full Text - Recent patent applications in synthetic biology | PDF (44 KB) - Recent patent applications in synthetic biology
Research
Perspective
Synthetic biology
Next-generation synthetic gene networks - pp1139 - 1150
Timothy K Lu, Ahmad S Khalil & James J Collins
doi:10.1038/nbt.1591
Abstract - | Full Text - Next-generation synthetic gene networks | PDF (1,048 KB) - Next-generation synthetic gene networks
Reviews
Synthetic biology
Genome engineering - pp1151 - 1162
Peter A Carr & George M Church
doi:10.1038/nbt.1590
Abstract - | Full Text - Genome engineering | PDF (1,210 KB) - Genome engineering | Supplementary information
Synthetic biology
Synthetic viruses: a new opportunity to understand and prevent viral disease - pp1163 - 1172
Eckard Wimmer, Steffen Mueller, Terrence M Tumpey & Jeffery K Taubenberger
doi:10.1038/nbt.1593
Abstract - | Full Text - Synthetic viruses: a new opportunity to understand and prevent viral disease | PDF (704 KB) - Synthetic viruses: a new opportunity to understand and prevent viral disease
© 2018 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. All Rights Reserved.
