A new wave of synthetic-biology research is turning living cells into programmable devices, opening the door to innovation in regional medicines, materials and climate solutions.<\/p>\n
Walid El-Sharoud, Director of Synthetic Biology Laboratory, Mansoura University, Egypt<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n
koto_feja\/ E+\/ Getty Images\u00a0<\/p>\n
Synthetic biology (SynBio) is an emerging discipline
\nthat attempts to reprogram and design the cells\u2019 genetic materials, converting
\nthem into controllable and computerized bio-devices. In its essence, SynBio
\nmerges computing and engineering with molecular biology to develop applications
\nthat operate with high precision and yield predictable results. <\/p>\n
Programming and design are two key elements of SynBio,
\ndriven by the fundamental concept of cells being programmable and engineerable.
\nCells compute all the time; processing environmental inputs through DNA-encoded
\n\u2018bio-algorithms\u2019, and generating measurable outputs.<\/p>\n
A classic example of this computing process is the
\nlactose metabolism in Escherichia coli; cells uptake sugar as an input,
\nDNA senses it, relevant enzymes are expressed, and energy plus lactate are
\nproduced as output. Cells can also perform an AND logic function to regulate
\nthis metabolism, just as computers do.<\/p>\n
This intersection between computers and cells inspired
\nthe beginning of SynBio in the early 2000s, when researchers, James Collins and
\nMichael Elowitz, separately with their teams, implemented circuits of genes and
\nmolecules to mimic the electronic circuits composed of transistors and wires.
\nThe behaviour of those genetic circuits was successfully modeled and worked
\npredictably. This promoted the development of other diverse applications, such
\nas sensors of explosive materials and potential cancer therapy.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n
The team of Synthetic Biology Laboratory at Mansoura University, Egypt.
Credit: Walid El-Sharoud.<\/p>\n
In terms of design, genes consist of parts that can be The mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine originally relied on SynBio\u2019s To harness its potential, I launched the Synthetic At KAUST in Saudi Arabia, specialized research teams Synthetic biology has moved from proof-of-concept to By investing in targeted research programmes,
\ncharacterized, standardized, and catalogued. This enables the rational
\nengineering of living systems and, coupled with programming, pushes synthetic
\nbiology beyond traditional biotechnology. Advances of SynBio include building
\nof complete functional microbial genomes that can mediate the working of a
\nwhole semi-synthetic cell. Researchers have also incorporated non-natural amino acids into synthesized proteins for potentially
\ntherapeutic value.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nconcept. Other outcomes include Imlygic, an oncolytic virus-based drug approved
\nfor treating melanoma, yeast-produced artemisinin to treat malaria, synthetic
\nsilk, bioplastics, and a meatless burger. Current ambitions range from
\nde-extincting ancient creatures to extending human life. <\/p>\n
\nBiology Laboratory at Mansoura University in Egypt. Working with global
\npartners worldwide, we were able to engineer non-conventional yeast to produce
\nbisabolene, which is a crucial pharmaceutical and a biofuel precursor. Our
\ncurrent work focuses on engineering yeast to produce milk protein, leveraging
\nCRISPR enzymes in genetic manipulation and developing biosensors for pathogen
\ndetection. <\/p>\n
\nare advancing SynBio applications; engineering photosynthetic microorganisms
\nsuch as algae to create resource-efficient processes for carbon capture,
\nbiomanufacturing, and other environmental applications.<\/p>\n
\npractical reality, delivering new medicines, sustainable materials, and
\nclimate-smart technologies. In the Arab world, we possess the talent, natural
\nresources, and strategic ambition to benefit from this next biotechnological
\nwave. <\/p>\n
\ndeveloping collaborative networks and training the next generation of synthetic
\nbiologists, the region can convert cutting-edge science into high-value
\nindustries and home-grown solutions to our pressing environmental and health
\nchallenges.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A new wave of synthetic-biology research is turning living cells into programmable devices, opening the door to innovation…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":99503,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[191,18092,74],"class_list":{"0":"post-99502","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-computing","8":"tag-computing","9":"tag-synthetic-biology","10":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99502"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99502\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}