Summary
Engineering microbes with designed genetic circuits for medicine, industry and the environment.
In depth
Engineered circuits include toggle switches and oscillators. Cells produce drugs such as artemisinic acid, or detect pollutants. Containment and biosafety are key concerns.
Microbes can be engineered as sensors, factories or living therapeutics. Kill switches limit environmental spread.
Key idea: engineering must consider safety and ethics.
Methods include assembling standard parts (BioBricks), CRISPR editing, genome synthesis and cell-free systems. In 2010 the Venter institute created Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0 with a chemically synthesised genome, and a minimal cell JCVI-syn3.0 has 473 genes. Yeast and E. coli make artemisinin precursors, spider silk, biofuels, and vanillin.
Safeguards include kill switches, auxotrophy for unnatural amino acids, and genetic firewalls using recoded genomes. Biosecurity concerns include misuse, and discussions involve governance and public engagement. Living sensors detect arsenic, explosives or gut inflammation.
Example: engineered E. coli programmed to make a pigment in the presence of a pollutant works as a biosensor.
Frequently asked questions
What is Synthetic Microbiology?
Engineering microbes with designed genetic circuits for medicine, industry and the environment.
Which area of biology covers Synthetic Microbiology, and how advanced is it?
Synthetic Microbiology is one of the 54 topics in Microbiology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Microbiome, Metagenomics, Microorganisms.
Can you give an example of Synthetic Microbiology?
Engineered E. coli that senses tumours.
What should I learn before Synthetic Microbiology?
Work through the Beginner topics in Microbiology first, such as Microorganisms, Bacteria, Archaea, then return to Synthetic Microbiology. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Synthetic Microbiology?
The closest topics to Synthetic Microbiology are Microbiome, Metagenomics, Microorganisms, Bioremediation. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Synthetic Microbiology?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Synthetic Microbiology. To practise the whole of Microbiology, use the Microbiology quiz.
How is Synthetic Microbiology different from Microbiome?
Synthetic Microbiology: Engineering microbes with designed genetic circuits for medicine, industry and the environment. Microbiome: The community of microorganisms living in and on a host, such as the human gut. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Synthetic Microbiology step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Microbiome and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Microbiology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.