Synthetic Biology

Question 1

Synthetic Biology

Answer 1

uses the principals of engineering to design
and assemble biological
components

Question 2

Reprogramming a Cell

Answer 2

• DNA is the instruction manual of a cell
• To reprogram a cell you need to change the DNA sequence
  -> Therefore all synthetic biology parts are encoded by DNA
• Genetic engineering : small scale
• changing the DNA sequence one gene at a time
• Synthetic Biology : large scale
• changing the DNA sequence of many genes at once
• introducing multiple new genes into a cell
• rewriting whole genomes

Question 3

Modularity

Answer 3

• The parts and devices are self-contained units. Their
  function is not dependent on another component.
• This allows them to be combined in any combination for different outcomes

Question 4

Standardisation

Answer 4

All the parts are physically compatible with each other
- This facilitates their combination

Question 5

Types of parts and devices

Answer 5

1. Reporters
   - fluorescent genes, colormetric genes
2. Transcriptional Regulators
3. Connects the cell to the environment: Receivers and senders