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Foundations for engineering biology

Engineered biological systems have been used to manipulate information, construct materials, process chemicals, produce energy, provide food, and help maintain or enhance human health and our environment. Unfortunately, our ability to quickly and reliably engineer biological systems that behave as e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature 2005-11, Vol.438 (7067), p.449-453
Main Author: Endy, Drew
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Engineered biological systems have been used to manipulate information, construct materials, process chemicals, produce energy, provide food, and help maintain or enhance human health and our environment. Unfortunately, our ability to quickly and reliably engineer biological systems that behave as expected remains quite limited. Foundational technologies that make routine the engineering of biology are needed. Vibrant, open research communities and strategic leadership are necessary to ensure that the development and application of biological technologies remains overwhelmingly constructive. Synthetic Biology ‘Synthetic biology’ is a rapidly growing field, and this week's Nature reflects that growth. Biologists use it to test models of natural systems, as discussed by David Sprinzak and Michael B. Elowitz. Drew Endy takes the engineer's approach, seeing it as an extension of technologies such as genetic engineering and biotechnology. Examples of what synthetic biology can do were on view at the first international Inter collegiate Genetically Engineered Machine competition. Synthetic biology promises much but there are risks too. In a Commentary, George Church urges the synthetic biology community to learn from mistakes made by nuclear physicists and geneticists, and to act now to develop safeguards that satisfy public concerns.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
1476-4679
DOI:10.1038/nature04342