Synthetic Biology
Synthetic biology is an emerging field of research that aims to combine the knowledge and methods of biology, engineering and related disciplines in the design of chemically synthesized DNA to create organisms with novel or enhanced characteristics and traits. It involves designing and constructing biological modules, biological systems, and biological machines or, re-design of existing biological systems for useful purposes.Redesigning organisms so that they produce substances, such as medicine or biofuel, or gain a new ability, such as sensing something in the environment, are common goals of synthetic biology projects.
Applications of synthetic biology Uses of synthetic biology Importances of synthetic biology
Environmental Application
Another area with potential environmental benefits is bioremediation. Micro organisms or even plants could be engineered to degrade pesticides and remove pollutants in water, soil and air. A biosensor refers to an engineered organism, usually a bacterium, that is capable of reporting some ambient phenomenon such as the presence of heavy metals or toxins. Modified organisms can sense environmental signals and send output signals that can be detected and serve diagnostic purposes. Microbe cohorts have been used.
Medical Applications
In vivo applications: There are a range of potential applications of synthetic biology which could monitor and respond to conditions in the human body. For example, regulatory circuits could be designed which trigger insulin production in diabetes (ITI Life sciences 2007). Bacteria or viruses could be programmed to identify malignant cancer cells and deliver therapeutic agents (Serrano 2007). Viruses have also been engineered to interact with HIV- infected cells, which could prevent the development of AIDS.
New drug development pathways: One of the avenues of synthetic biology that has wide application is the development of alternative production routes for useful compounds, and one of the most discussedis the construction of an artificial metabolic pathway in E. coli and yeast to produce a precursor( arteminisin) for an antimalarial drug (Martin et al 2003)
Industrial Application
Biofuels: There are many ways of engineering microorganisms to produce carbon-neutral (or more environmentally friendly) sources of energy. Forexample, bacteria could be engineered to synthesize hydrogen or ethanol by degrading cellulose, although further work is needed to overcome technical barriers.
Design proteins in pharmaceuticals: Natural proteins can be engineered, for example, by directed evolution, novel protein structures that match or improve on the functionality of existing proteins can be produced. Researchers and companies practice synthetic biology to synthesize industrial enzymes with high activity, optimal yields and effectiveness. These synthesized enzymes aim to improve products such as detergents and lactose-free dairy products, as well as make them more cost effective.
Other applications
Biological computers: A biological computer refers to an engineered biological system that can perform computer-like operations, which is a dominant paradigm in synthetic biology. Researchers demonstrated the ‘Boolean logic and arithmetic through DNA excision’ (BLADE) system to engineer digital computation in human cells.
Cell transformation: Cells use interacting genes and proteins, which are called gene circuits, to implement diverse function, such as responding to environmental signals, decision making and communication. Three key components are involved: DNA, RNA and Synthetic biologist designed gene circuits that can control gene expression from several levels including transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translational levels.
Current regulations and regulation gaps in synthetic biology
Synthetic biology is an emerging technology with potentially far-reaching benefits and risks. As a cross-cutting issue, different aspects of synthetic biology fall within the scope of different international agreements. Contemporary biosafety and biosecurity frameworks are characterized by important regulatory gaps which policy makers need to address to minimize risks that may arise in the future both from commercial use and weaponization. In some cases, this may require formal treaty amendments, whereas others can possibly be resolved at lower levels, for instance through interpretive statements of treaties’ decision-making bodies. Click here for the current Synbio regulatory gaps in Africa.
Biosecurity and biosafety risks related to synthetic biology
The potential applications of synthetic biology have to be viewed in the light of the possible risks. There are two factors which make the risk governance of synthetic biology potentially problematic. The first is that synthetic biology like genetic engineering involves the production of living organisms, which areself-propagating. The second is that with the growth of the internet and the routinization of many biotechnological procedures, the tools for doing synthetic biology are readily accessible.
The major biosafety risk of synthetic biology is the accidental release of synthetic organisms, which could have unintended detrimental effects on the environment or on human health(DeVriend 2006). This could bein the case of bioremediation, where synthetic organisms would be purposely released into the environment, for example to remove toxins from the soil. Not only are microorganisms living and self-propagating, but they also evolve rapidly, and they can exchange genetic material with each other across species boundaries.
Additionally, the flexibility of synthetic biology means that microorganisms could be created which are radically different from existing ones, and these microorganisms might have unpredictable and emergent properties (Tucker and Zilinskas 2006), making the risk of accidental release very difficult to assess in advance. Developing synthetic biology in Africa must be extremely mindful of these concerns, and strive for better awareness and understanding among scientists, students, policymakers, law enforcers, and the wider African society. Governments and research funders should encourage safe laboratory practices and a culture of responsibility among potential synthetic biology researchers, alerting them to potentially negative aspects of their work. Of course, since biological and physical biosafety measures are vulnerable to accident and misuse, emergency preparedness is important. Such measures may include: information exchange on biosafety and biosecurity, developing monitoring and alert systems for accidents, bioterrorism, and disease outbreak; stockpiling medical countermeasures; and establishing emergency contact and dispensing centers.