Nature Methods: Focus on Synthetic Biology
来源： 时间：July 21, 2014, 10:31 a.m.http://www.nature.com/nmeth/focus/syntheticbiology/index.html
FOCUS
Focus on Synthetic Biology
Focus issue:
May 2014 Volume 11, No 5
Synthetic biology spans many disciplines and has many different goals. A Commentary discusses its role in addressing fundamental questions such as the origin of life. Although recent advances in the field have brought us closer to some of synthetic biology's ambitious aims, there is still a need for better characterization of basic building blocks. One Review looks at advances and challenges in DNA synthesis and error correction, a second Review discusses optimal genetic circuit design, and a research paper presents a computational tool for efficient assembly of genetic parts. A Perspective highlights advances in whole-genome assembly and activation. Well-characterized tools and methods will allow the field to move from costly trial-and-error approaches to a more standardized plug-and-play approach.
EDITORIAL
Focus on Synthetic Biology
Synthetic Biology: Back to the Basics p463
Nicole Rusk
doi:10.1038/nmeth.2941
COMMENTARY
Focus on Synthetic Biology
A synthetic approach to abiogenesis pp495 - 498
James Attwater & Philipp Holliger
doi:10.1038/nmeth.2893
Authors discuss how synthetic biology approaches could be applied to assemble synthetic quasibiological systems able to replicate and evolve, illuminating universal properties of life and the search for its origins.
REVIEWS
Focus on Synthetic Biology
Large-scale de novo DNA synthesis: technologies and applications pp499 - 507
Sriram Kosuri & George M Church
doi:10.1038/nmeth.2918
This Review discusses large de novo DNA synthesis via oligos or arrays, describes gene assembly and error correction and considers applications for large-scale DNA synthesis.
Focus on Synthetic Biology
Principles of Genetic Circuit Design pp508 - 520
Jennifer A N Brophy & Christopher A Voigt
doi:10.1038/nmeth.2926
This Review introduces tools to build transcriptional circuits and explains how the choice of different tools can affect circuit behavior and how its operation can be affected by the cellular host.
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (1,874 KB) | Supplementary information
PERSPECTIVE
Focus on Synthetic Biology
Programming biological operating systems: genome design, assembly and activation pp521 - 526
Daniel G Gibson
doi:10.1038/nmeth.2894
This Perspective takes the reader through the important steps in bacterial genome assembly and activation and concludes with an outlook on how customized genomes may be achieved.
ARTICLE
Focus on Synthetic Biology
Interactive assembly algorithms for molecular cloning
Evan Appleton, Jenhan Tao, Traci Haddock & Douglas Densmore
doi:10.1038/nmeth.2939
Raven calculates assembly plans for complex genetic constructs from thousands of parts. It integrates user feedback on failed intermediate assemblies to improve the final outcome.
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (4,029 KB) | Supplementary information
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