Emerging Tools for Synthetic Biology I

Synthetic biology applies engineering principles to construct biological systems with interesting or useful properties. The process of design and construction poses major challenges, owing to the complexity and messiness of biology. However, emerging tools have enabled the rapid construction of increasingly complex systems with predictable behaviors. This session will cover the development and application of these tools and fundamental technologies to the diverse topics of synthetic biology. Topics include but are not limited to DNA assembly, genetic circuit design and validation, modeling approaches, biomolecular breadboarding, synthetic regulation, cell-cell communication, and understanding biology. Systems will span from in vitro experiments and viruses, through diverse bacteria, to eukaryotes (yeast, mammalian cells, plants). This session will focus particularly on technology development.