Synthetic biology encompasses a variety of different approaches, methodologies and disciplines, and many different definitions exist. This Volume of Methods in Enzymology has been split into 2 Parts and covers topics such as Measuring and Engineering Central Dogma Processes, Mathematical and Computational Methods and Next-Generation DNA Assembly and Manipulation. - Encompasses a variety of different approaches, methodologies and disciplines - Split into 2 parts and covers topics such as measuring and engineering central dogma processes, mathematical and computational methods and next-generation DNA assembly and manipulation

Synthetic Biology (SB) is a revolutionary discipline with a vast range of practical applications, but is SB research really based on engineering principles? Does it contributing to the artificial synthesis of life or does it utilise approaches sufficiently advanced to fall outside the scope of biotechnology or metabolic engineering? This volume reviews the development of SB and includes the major milestones of the discipline, the ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ approaches towards the construction of an artificial cell and the development of the “iGEM” competition. We conclude that SB is an emerging field with extraordinary technological potential, but that most research projects actually are an extension of metabolic engineering since the complexity of living organisms, their tight dependence on evolution and our limited knowledge of the interactions between the molecules, actually make life difficult to engineer.

Volume 608 of the series Methods in Enzymology covers key aspects of enzyme discovery, engineering tools and platforms, and examples of applications in the enzymology of synthetic biology. Detailed methods for laboratory use of enzymes in synthetic biology applications Informative case history examples illustrating how enzyme and metabolic engineering are used to generate new products Emphasises latest developments in laboratory automation for the engineering of biology Covers many aspects of the design, build, test, learn cycle used in synthetic biology

This second edition book provides complete coverage of the computational approaches currently used in Synthetic Biology. New chapters detail computational methods and algorithms for the design of bio-components, insight on CAD programs, analysis techniques, and distributed systems. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, application details for both the expert and non-expert reader, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Computational Methods in Synthetic Biology, Second Edition aims to feature a broad overview of the research areas that can be met in the area of in silico Synthetic Biology.

Scientific advances over the past several decades have accelerated the ability to engineer existing organisms and to potentially create novel ones not found in nature. Synthetic biology, which collectively refers to concepts, approaches, and tools that enable the modification or creation of biological organisms, is being pursued overwhelmingly for beneficial purposes ranging from reducing the burden of disease to improving agricultural yields to remediating pollution. Although the contributions synthetic biology can make in these and other areas hold great promise, it is also possible to imagine malicious uses that could threaten U.S. citizens and military personnel. Making informed decisions about how to address such concerns requires a realistic assessment of the capabilities that could be misused. Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology explores and envisions potential misuses of synthetic biology. This report develops a framework to guide an assessment of the security concerns related to advances in synthetic biology, assesses the levels of concern warranted for such advances, and identifies options that could help mitigate those concerns.

Micro/Nanofluidics and Lab-on-Chip Based Emerging Technologies for Biomedical and Translational Research Applications - Part B, Volume 187 represents the collation of chapters written by eminent scientists worldwide. Chapters in this new release include Design and fabrication of microfluidics devices for molecular biology applications, Micro/Nanofluidics devices for drug delivery, From organ-on-chip to body-on-chip: the next generation of microfluidics platforms for in vitro drug toxicity testing, Micro/Nanofluidics for high throughput drug screening, Design, fabrication and assembly of lab-on-a-chip and its uses, Advances in microfluidic 3D cell culture for pre-clinical drug development, Tissue and organ culture on lab-on-a chip for biomedical applications, and much more. - Offers a basic understanding of the state-of-the-art design and fabrication of microfluidics/ nanofluidics and lab on chip - Explains how to develop microfluidics/nanofluidic for advanced application such as healthcare, high throughout drug screening, 3D cell culture and organ-on-chip - Discusses the emerging demands and research of micro/nanofluidic based devices in biomedical and translational research applications