Exploring standards for multicellular mammalian synthetic biology

• Published in: Trends in biotechnology (Regular ed.) 2022-11, Vol.40 (11), p.1299-1312
• Main Authors: Glykofrydis, Fokion, Elfick, Alistair
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Binding sites; Bioengineering; Biology; biotechnology; Cloning; Cultured meat; engineering biology; Engineers; Epigenetics; Food industry; Gene expression; Genetic engineering; Genotype & phenotype; landscapes; Mammals; medicine; patterning; standardisation; stem cells; Synthetic Biology; Tissue Engineering
• ISSN: 0167-7799; 1879-3096
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.06.001

Synthetic biology is moving towards bioengineering multicellular mammalian systems that are poised to advance tissue engineering, biomedicine, and the food industry. Despite progress, the field lacks a framework of standards that could greatly accelerate further development. Here, we explore the landscape of standards for multicellular mammalian synthetic biology. We discuss the limits of current technical standards and categorise unaddressed parameters into an abstraction hierarchy. We then define the concept of a ‘synthetic multicellular mammalian system’ and apply our standard hierarchy framework to illustrate how it could aid bioengineering endeavours. We conclude with promising areas that could shape the future of the field, flagging the need for a critical and holistic consideration of standards that requires cross-disciplinary dialogue. Lessons from engineering multicellular systems highlight the importance of considering standards beyond the molecular cloning level.Synthetic signalling, adhesion, and transcription factor devices have allowed the generation of multicellular entities from a common cell population, or distinct bioengineered populations interacting in coculture. Standards can expedite engineering efforts, output quantification, and stem cell applications.Synthetic embryology has created embryo-like structures from bioengineered stem cells, advancing our capacity to reconstitute and reconstruct embryogenesis. Standards can improve derivation efficiencies and understanding of these systems.Cellular agriculture is a rapidly developing concept in the food and feed industries, illustrating the transformative power of synthetic biology and the need for interdisciplinary standards.