Applications of Synthetic Biology in Basic Life Science Research

As the birthplace of synthetic biology, basic life sciences have contributed greatly to the growth of this impactful field. The vast array of tools generated by life scientists in collaboration with engineers and chemists has allowed the ultimate goal of synthetic biology to be realized. Basic life sciences, on the other hand, have been the primary user of synthetic biology products. Researchers in this area use synthetic biology products to not only improve existing design and applications, but also to discover new aspects of nature for further expanding the frontiers of synthetic biology.

• What tools are developed by basic life sciences for synthetic biology?

  Towards the goal of engineering biology, synthetic biology requires tools in the form of genetic modules from a variety of organisms. These tools are then combined into circuits to impart novel biological functions in their recipient host species or to develop novel host species. The following is a list of major categories of tools developed by basic life scientists to enable synthetic biologists:

  • Genetic circuit induction
  • Synthetic transcription factors
  • RNA control
  • Genome engineering
  • Cellular computation and memory
  • Riboregulators
  • Biomaterials
• How is synthetic biology helping advance basic life science research?

  Concepts, approaches and tools generated by synthetic biology provide unique opportunity for basic life science researchers to gain insight into the logic of cellular systems at different levels. They achieve this through rebuilding and investigating systems outside their natural context and in an isolated setting devoid of complex natural interconnectivity. The following is a list of major areas of investigation that synthetic biology is helping the most:

  • Cell signaling
  • Gene networks
  • Cellular metabolism
  • Disease pathogenesis
  • Origins and evolution of life
  • Protein structure and function
  • Gene and chromatin regulation
• What fields in basic life sciences are benefiting the most from synthetic biology?

  Synthetic biology is helping all areas of life sciences, but the following disciplines are at the forefront of applying it in their research:

  • Immunology
  • Genetics
  • Neuroscience
  • Cancer research
  • Reproductive sciences
  • Structural biology