title: The second wave of synthetic biology: from modules to systems.
abstract: Synthetic biology is a research field that combines the investigative nature of biology with the constructive nature of engineering. Efforts in synthetic biology have largely focused on the creation and perfection of genetic devices and small modules that are constructed from these devices. But to view cells as true 'programmable' entities, it is now essential to develop effective strategies for assembling devices and modules into intricate, customizable larger scale systems. The ability to create such systems will result in innovative approaches to a wide range of applications, such as bioremediation, sustainable energy production and biomedical therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA. ppurnick@princeton.edu
authors.forename: Priscilla E M
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Purnick
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001695:Biology; D001709:Biotechnology; D002460:Cell Line; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004738:Engineering / Q000379:methods; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D036103:Nanotechnology; D012984:Software