Synthetic biology discipline

The minimal cell, as the simplest system which has all the required properties of life (metabolism, self-reproduction and the ability to evolve), is presently studied as part of a new research discipline synthetic biology. This includes subjects such as synthesis in branches of biological systems, for example, of new RNA species, new peptides and new nucleic acid analogues, as well as the synthesis of peptide nucleic acids. One example is the work of M. R. Ghadiri and G. von Kiedrowski on self-replication of oligonucleotides and oligopeptides (Luisi, 2006b). 

Andrianantoandro, E. et al (2006) Synthetic biology new engineering rules for an emerging discipline. Mol Syst. 

Schyfter, P., Calvert, J., Frow, E. (2013). Editorial introduction Synthetic biology Making biology into an engineering discipline. Engineering Studies, 5(1), 1-5. 

Andrianantoandro, E., Basu, S., Karig, D.K., Weiss, R., 2006. Synthetic biology new engineering rules for an emerging discipline. Mol. Syst. Biol. 2, 1—14. 

The reviews collected in this book convey some of the themes recurrent in nano-colloid science self-assembly, constraction of supramolecular architecture, nanoconfmement and compartmentalization, measurement and control of interfacial forces, novel synthetic materials, and computer simulation. They also reveal the interaction of a spectrum of disciplines in which physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science intersect. Not only is the vast range of industrial and technological applications depicted, but it is also shown how this new way of thinking has generated exciting developments in fundamental science. Some of the chapters also skirt the frontiers, where there are still unanswered questions. 

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