Cells by Design

BIOFACTORIES:© 2003 Nature Publishing GroupAbove is a depiction of the genetic network engineered into Escherichia coli for production of amorphadiene via the DXP or mevalonate isoprenoid pathway. The black triangles represent the PLAC promoter. Genes isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, E. coli, and Haematococcus pluvialis were used to construct the network. (From V.J.J. Martin et al., Nat Biotechnol, 21: 796–802, 2003.)Synthetic biology is a new discipline based on the expectatio

Written byPamela Silver

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Above is a depiction of the genetic network engineered into Escherichia coli for production of amorphadiene via the DXP or mevalonate isoprenoid pathway. The black triangles represent the PLAC promoter. Genes isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, E. coli, and Haematococcus pluvialis were used to construct the network. (From V.J.J. Martin et al., Nat Biotechnol, 21: 796–802, 2003.)

Synthetic biology is a new discipline based on the expectation of a revolution. In the future, bioengineers will create new organisms based on the same strategies that engineers use to design computer chips, bridges, and skyscrapers. Mathematical modeling will drive the design of useful, artificial organisms, instead of relying on the blind, trial-and-error methods of natural selection.

Advocates say synthetic biology will develop because of the rapidly decreasing cost of DNA synthesis and sequencing. Commercial plasmid-synthesis companies currently construct large pieces of DNA for less than $3 per base, ...

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