Synthetic biology is one of the 21st century's fastest growing fields of research, as important for technology as for basic science. Building on traditional genetic engineering, which was restricted to changing one or two genes, synthetic biology uses multi-gene modules and pathways to make very significant changes to what cells can do. Synthetic biologists aim to have an impact in fields as diverse as drug manufacture, biofuel production, tackling pollution, and medical diagnostics. Further ahead, synthetic biology may even make possible the long-standing goal of creating new life from non-living starting materials.
This Very Short Introduction provides a concise explanation of what synthetic biology is, and how it is beginning to affect many fields of technology. Jamie Davies also discusses the considerable controversies surrounding synthetic biology, from questions over the assumption that engineering concepts can be applied to living systems easily, to scepticism over the claims for commercial promise, fears that the dangers of engineering life are worse than its benefits, and concerns over whether humans should be designing living systems at all.
Preface
1: Biology: from analysis to synthesis
2: How synthetic biology is done
3: Synthetic biology and the environment
4: Synthetic biology and healthcare
5: Synthetic biology for engineering
6: Synthetic biology for basic research
7: Creating life
8: Cultural impact
Further reading
Index
"A stimulating exposition of the intriguing and exciting field of synthetic biology. The coverage is both broad and well-balanced. An excellent book, accessible to all." - Professor Huabing Yin, Biomedical Engineering, University of Glasgow
ISBN : 9780198803492
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