title: Rewiring the cell: synthetic biology moves towards higher functional complexity.
abstract: A steady stream of research has fueled excitement in the field of synthetic biology. Logic gates, oscillators, and memory elements constructed using genetic and biochemical components have all been demonstrated. However, the nagging question remains as to how higher levels of complexity can be designed into these synthetic systems. A recent paper from Collins' group provides some answers to this question.
authors.affiliation: Molecular-Scale Engineering and Nanoscale Technology Research Group, The Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, MS 6006, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6006, USA. SimpsonML1@ornl.gov
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D013014:SOS Response, Genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D049490:Systems Biology / Q000379:methods*