Enabling technology and core theory of synthetic biology

Synthetic biology provides a new paradigm for life science research (build to learn) and opens the future journey of biotechnology (build to use). Here, we discuss advances of various principles and technologies in the mainstream of the enabling technology of synthetic biology, including synthesis and assembly of a genome, DNA storage, gene editing, molecular evolution and de novo design of function proteins, cell and gene circuit engineering, cell-free synthetic biology, artificial intelligence (AI)-aided synthetic biology, as well as biofoundries. We also introduce the concept of quantitative synthetic biology, which is guiding synthetic biology towards increased accuracy and predictability or the real rational design. We conclude that synthetic biology will establish its disciplinary system with the iterative development of enabling technologies and the maturity of the core theory.

Automated summary

Synthetic biology provides a new paradigm (build to learn) for life science research and opens up the future of biotechnology (build to use). This article discusses the advances in various principles and technologies in synthetic biology, including genome synthesis and assembly, DNA storage, gene editing, molecular evolution, de novo design of functional proteins, cell and gene circuit engineering, cell-free synthetic biology, AI-aided synthetic biology, and biofoundries. The concept of quantitative synthetic biology, which aims to increase accuracy and predictability in rational design, is also introduced. The article concludes that as enabling technologies continue to develop and core theories mature, synthetic biology will establish its own disciplinary system.