Synthetic biology in the clinic: engineering vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics

Synthetic biology is a design-driven discipline centered on engineering novel biological functions through the discovery, characterization, and repurposing of molecular parts. Several synthetic biological solutions to critical biomedical problems are on the verge of widespread adoption and demonstrate the burgeoning maturation of the field. Here, we highlight applications of synthetic biology in vaccine development, molecular diagnostics, and cell-based therapeutics, emphasizing technologies approved for clinical use or in active clinical trials. We conclude by drawing attention to recent innovations in synthetic biology that are likely to have a significant impact on future applications in biomedicine.

Automated summary

Synthetic biology is a design-driven discipline focused on engineering novel biological functions through the discovery and repurposing of molecular parts. Applications in vaccine development, molecular diagnostics, and cell-based therapeutics are already in clinical use or active clinical trials, with ongoing innovations likely to have a significant impact on future biomedicine applications.