Designing Artificial Complex Systems: "synthetic biology"

Synthetic biology is a new area of biological research that exploits a variety of different approaches and methodologies, e.g. DNA sequencing, protein synthesis and modeling, with the goal of designing and constructing new biological functions and systems not found in nature. Precise measurements of the system components, interactions and emergent properties are crucial in synthetic biology.

The field includes two major axes: (i) the design and construction of new biological parts and systems and (ii) the modification of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes. Studies range from metabolic or genetic engineering to the synthesis of artificial life.

The domain will have profound effects on diverse domains, from the fundamental understanding of the complex mechanisms at work in living organisms, to new biotechnologies in the fields of health and medicine, agriculture, biofuels, etc. Synthetic biology also raises serious social, ethical and safety issues.