Synthetic Biology: Applications Come of Age

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Genet

Specialty Genetics

Date 2010 Apr 17

PMID 20395970

Citations 447

Authors

Ahmad S Khalil

James J Collins

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Synthetic biology is bringing together engineers and biologists to design and build novel biomolecular components, networks and pathways, and to use these constructs to rewire and reprogram organisms. These re-engineered organisms will change our lives over the coming years, leading to cheaper drugs, 'green' means to fuel our cars and targeted therapies for attacking 'superbugs' and diseases, such as cancer. The de novo engineering of genetic circuits, biological modules and synthetic pathways is beginning to address these crucial problems and is being used in related practical applications.

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