Question

Describe the key benefits of synthetic biology compared to traditional molecular biology methods?

Answer 1

Synthetic biology is the designing and making of novel biological entities such as enzymes and cells or redesigning of existing biological systems. It builds on the advances in cell, molecular, and also system biology. Its aim is to transform biology. The thing that distinguishes it from traditional molecular biology and cell biology is the focus on the designing and construction of core components that can be modeled and tuned to meet specific performance criteria, and the assembly of these parts and devices into larger integrated systems to solve problems.

It is quite beneficial and adventurous. The products we want can be derived directly from starting materials such as glucose, CO2 or methane. When the best enzymes are identified, they can be moved between different species; or even connect whole pathways using genome engineering technology. The toxic intermediates can be contained within the sub-cellular compartments. The end product can be exported from the cell using the secretion pathways in which no purification is required.

Synthetic biology has the potential to produce eco-friendly solutions to a lot of problems. The byproducts of this branch of biology are usually nontoxic, because most toxic compounds would kill cells that are doing the work. Harnessing natural cellular systems often results in economical processes. This branch of biology provides scientists with new tools to modify the molecular workings of cells.