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Review
. 2010 May;11(5):367-79.
doi: 10.1038/nrg2775.

Synthetic biology: applications come of age

Ahmad S Khalil  1 , James J Collins
Affiliations
Review

Synthetic biology: applications come of age

Ahmad S Khalil et al. Nat Rev Genet. 2010 May.

Abstract

Synthetic biology is bringing together engineers and biologists to design and build novel biomolecular components, networks and pathways, and to use these constructs to rewire and reprogram organisms. These re-engineered organisms will change our lives over the coming years, leading to cheaper drugs, 'green' means to fuel our cars and targeted therapies for attacking 'superbugs' and diseases, such as cancer. The de novo engineering of genetic circuits, biological modules and synthetic pathways is beginning to address these crucial problems and is being used in related practical applications.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ahmad S. Khalil and James J. Collins hold various patents and/or patent applications related to the applications of synthetic biology that are discussed in this Review.

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