Synthetic biology articles within Nature

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  • News & Views |

    A system that introduces random modifications to barcode sequences embedded in cells' DNA allows lineage relationships between cells to be discerned, while preserving the cells' spatial relationships. See Letter p.107

    • Lauren E. Beck
    •  & Arjun Raj

  • News & Views |

    A 16-year-old synthetic genetic circuit that produces gene-expression oscillations in bacterial cells has been given an upgrade, making it an exceptionally precise biological clock. See Letter p.514

    • Xiaojing J. Gao
    •  & Michael B. Elowitz

  • Letter |

    The first synthetic genetic oscillator or ‘repressilator’ is simplified using insights from stochastic theory, thus achieving remarkably precise and robust oscillations and informing current debates about the next generation of synthetic circuits and their potential applications in cell-based therapies.

    • Laurent Potvin-Trottier
    • , Nathan D. Lord
    •  & Johan Paulsson

  • News & Views |

    A synthetic genetic circuit that mimics the quorum-sensing systems used by bacterial populations to coordinate gene expression enables bacteria to deliver drugs to mouse tumours in repeated and synchronized cycles. See Letter p.81

    • Shibin Zhou

  • Letter |

    Clinically relevant bacteria have been engineered to lyse synchronously at a threshold population density and release genetically encoded therapeutics; treatment of mice with these bacteria slowed the growth of tumours.

    • M. Omar Din
    • , Tal Danino
    •  & Jeff Hasty

  • News Feature |

    Birds and bees are just the beginning for a burgeoning technology.

    • Sara Reardon

  • Outlook |

    Tim Lu's synthetic-biology research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge combines biological engineering with electronics and computer science to create bacteria that make structural proteins containing tiny semi-conductors called quantum dots. He explains how genome-editing techniques are furthering his research and their role in treating disease.

    • Will Tauxe

  • Letter |

    A ribosome with tethered subunits, ‘Ribo-T’, is engineered by making a hybrid RNA composed of ribosomal RNA of large and small subunits; Ribo-T can support cell growth in vivo in the absence of wild-type ribosomes, and is used to establish a fully orthogonal ribosome–mRNA system.

    • Cédric Orelle
    • , Erik D. Carlson
    •  & Alexander S. Mankin

  • Comment |

    The research community and the public require a fast, flexible response to the synthesis of morphine by engineered yeasts, urge Kenneth Oye, Tania Bubela and J. Chappell H. Lawson.

    • Kenneth A. Oye
    • , J. Chappell H. Lawson
    •  & Tania Bubela

  • Editorial |

    A vital dependence of genetically modified organisms on an artificial nutrient could be a means of preventing their escape into the environment.

  • News & Views |

    Extracts from selected News & Views articles published this year.

  • News & Views |

    The development of RNA-based devices called toehold switches that regulate translation might usher in an era in which protein production can be linked to almost any RNA input and provide precise, low-cost diagnostics.

    • Simon Ausländer
    •  & Martin Fussenegger

  • News Feature |

    Since the birth of synthetic biology nearly 15 years ago, the field has splintered into diverse tribes of scientists, all attempting to bestow cells with new abilities.

  • Editorial |

    Before they can construct a cell, researchers in synthetic biology must first build bridges between disciplines.

  • World View |

    If synthetic biology is to thrive, the world needs to decide now how the field should be regulated and supported, says Volker ter Meulen.

    • Volker ter Meulen

  • News & Views |

    One aim of synthetic biology is to generate complex synthetic organisms. Now, a stage in this process has been achieved in yeast cells — an entire yeast chromosome has been converted to a synthetic sequence in a stepwise manner.

    • Daniel G. Gibson
    •  & J. Craig Venter

  • News & Views |

    The five bases found in nucleic acids define the 'alphabet' used to encode life on Earth. The construction of an organism that stably propagates an unnatural DNA base pair redefines this fundamental feature of life. See Letter p.385

    • Ross Thyer
    •  & Jared Ellefson

  • News & Views |

    Synthetic biology involves the creation of biological systems for new applications by modifying and reassembling biological components. Two views are presented here on the best way to engineer these components so that they reliably generate organisms with desired traits.

    • Pamela A. Silver
    • , Jeffrey C. Way
    •  & Joseph T. Meyerowitz

  • News |

    An engineered bacterium is able to copy DNA that contains unnatural genetic letters.

    • Ewen Callaway

  • News Feature |

    Synthetic biology is facing a tug of war over whether to patent its discoveries or embrace open-source innovation.

    • Bryn Nelson

  • Letter |

    Triphosphates of hydrophobic nucleotides d5SICS and dNaM are imported into Escherichia coli by an exogenous algal nucleotide triphosphate transporter and then used by an endogenous polymerase to replicate, and faithfully maintain over many generations of growth, a plasmid containing the d5SICS–dNaM unnatural base pair.

    • Denis A. Malyshev
    • , Kirandeep Dhami
    •  & Floyd E. Romesberg

  • News & Views |

    Cellular biocircuit design has taken a major step forward. The circuit reuses the cell's own protein-degradation system to synchronize the expression of two synthetic modules throughout an entire bacterial population. See Letter p.387

    • Ricard Solé
    •  & Javier Macía

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