Synthetic Biology

Why in news?

• The Centre is working on a national policy on synthetic biology, an emerging science that deals with engineering life forms for a wide range of applications from making designer medicines to foods.

What is Synthetic Biology?

• The term ‘synthetic biology’ was first used by Barbara Hobomin in 1980, to describe bacteria that had been genetically engineered using recombinant DNA technology.
• Synthetic biology refers to the science of using genetic sequencing, editing, and modification to create unnatural organisms or organic molecules that can function in living systems.
• Synthetic biology enables scientists to design and synthesise new sequences of DNA from scratch.
• The term was used to describe the synthesis of unnatural organic molecules that function in living systems.
• More broadly in this sense, the term has been used with reference to efforts to ‘redesign life’.

Applications:

• Standardised Biological Parts:
  • Identify and categorise standardised genomic parts that can be used (and synthesised quickly) to build new biological systems.
• Applied Protein Design:
  • Redesign existing biological parts and expand the set of natural protein functions for new processes.
  • For ex: Modified rice to produce beta-carotene (a nutrient usually associated with carrots), that prevents Vitamin A deficiency.
• Natural Product Synthesis:
  • Engineer microbes to produce all of the necessary enzymes and biological functions to perform complex multistep production of natural products.
  • For ex: Microorganisms harnessed for bioremediation (use of living microorganisms to degrade environmental contaminants into less toxic forms) to clean pollutants from water, soil and air.
• Synthetic Genomics:
  • Design and construct a ‘simple’ genome for a natural bacterium.
  • For ex: Yeast engineered to produce rose oil as an eco-friendly and sustainable substitute for real roses that perfumers use to make luxury scents.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following are the applications of synthetic biology?

1. Vaccine development

2. Food fortification

3. Fertilizer manufacturing

4. Bio-remediation

(a) 1 and 4 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1,2 and 3

(d) 1,2,3 and 4

Answer