Synthetic Biology A Primer

By: Geoff Baldwin(Contributor), Travis Bayer(Contributor), Robert Dickinson(Contributor), Tom Ellis(Contributor), Paul S Freemont(Contributor), Richard I Kitney(Contributor), Karen Polizzi(Contributor), Guy-Bart Stan(Contributor)

196 pages

Publisher: Imperial College Press

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About this book

Synthetic Biology: A Primer (Revised Edition) presents an updated overview of the field of synthetic biology and the foundational concepts on which it is built. This revised edition includes new literature references, working and updated URL links, plus some new figures and text where progress in the field has been made.

Synthetic Biology: A Primer introduces readers to fundamental concepts in molecular biology and engineering and then explores the two major themes for synthetic biology, namely 'bottom-up' and 'top-down' engineering approaches. 'Top-down' engineering uses a conceptual framework of systematic design and engineering principles focused around the Design-Build-Test cycle and mathematical modelling. The 'bottom-up' approach involves the design and building of synthetic protocells using basic chemical and biochemical building blocks from scratch exploring the fundamental basis of living systems.

Examples of cutting-edge applications designed using synthetic biology principles are presented, including:
- the production of novel, microbial synthesis of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals
- the design and implementation of biosensors to detect infections and environmental waste.

Synthetic Biology: A Primer also describes the Internationally Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, which brings together students and young researchers from around the world to carry out summer projects in synthetic biology. Finally, the primer includes a chapter on the ethical, legal and societal issues surrounding synthetic biology, illustrating the integration of social sciences into synthetic biology research.

Final year undergraduates, postgraduates and established researchers interested in learning about the interdisciplinary field of synthetic biology will benefit from this up-to-date primer on synthetic biology.

    List of Contributors
    Preface
    Introduction to Biology
    Basic Concepts in Engineering Biology
    Foundational Technologies
    Minimal Cells and Synthetic Life
    Parts, Devices and Systems
    Modelling Synthetic Biology Systems
    Applications of Designed Biological Systems
    iGEM
    The Societal Impact of Synthetic Biology
    Appendices:
        Proforma of Common Laboratory Techniques
        Glossary
    Index