SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

 What happens when biology becomes technology?

All of us agree that Mathematics is the queen of all sciences; Physics and Chemistry respectively come nextin the hierarchy next.Biology is considered the poor last.

 I became a student of Biology not by option, but out of compulsion.I was poor in maths. Naturally, I couldn’t opt for Chemistry,aboutthe which I was very passionate.But once I started my Masters in Genetics, my reservations about itsimply vanished.Today Biology and Genetics are involved in unravelling the mysteries of life.

Although I left the field long ago, I have kept in touch with the latest developments in Biology, especially Genetics. Today I am proud to be living in a world where biology itself is being subsumedin technology, and,synthetic biology is creating amazing new forms, hitherto unknown to us.

Historical

It was more than a century ago that Gregor John Mendel, an Austrian monk, discovered the genetic basis of heredity through his carefully conducted experiments on garden peas grown in the garden of his monastery.Later on,Friedrich Miescher, a German scientist, identified nuclein(later known as DNA or Deoxy Ribo Nucleic Acid)as the chemical responsible for inheritance.With Watson and Crick proposing a double helical model for DNA molecule, the gene revolution had begun.

The first two phases of the gene revolution comprised gene sequencing and gene editing.The third phase of the genomic revolution involves synthetic biology.

What is Synthetic Biology?

 Synthetic biology is a nascent but fast-growing fieldwhich encompasses the creation of new genomes and the manipulation of genes to manufacture a wide range of products, from fertilizers to cosmetics to medicine.

Application of synthetic biology

Synthetic biology impacts on how we grow foodand what we eat. Products created through synthetic biology are rapidly entering the food markets and by 2030 “It is highly likely that you will have eaten, worn, used or been treated with one----This new technology is poised to make a profound impact on the way a vast array of products manufactured, from lab-grown meat to cosmetics to biodegradable packaging’. Synthetic genomics is now making a huge impact on personalized medicine, life sciences and chemical industries.It is in wide use to construct viruses, bacteria, eukaryotic cells with synthetic genomes.

The next decade will see more products that derive their superior performance and affordability from engineered biology.

Some Examples

·        The yeast Pichia pastoris was engineered to produce soy leghemoglobin, which improves meaty flavours and aromas when added to a plant-based burger

·        Compared to a beef patty, the Impossible Burger (brand name) requires 96% less land and 89% fewer greenhouse gases. Worldwide, their products are available in over 30,000 restaurants and 15,000 grocery stores. It offers consumers a new generation of plant-based proteins that look, act, and taste far more like the real thing than ever before.

·        The palate of food additives that are obtained from engineered yeast is growing rapidly, with products emerging that contain Vitamin E (DSM), Stevia (Amyris and DSM) and milk whey (Perfect Day).

What is different? In synthetic biology, the concepts in biology and engineering are combined. Synthetic genomics, unlike genetic modification, does not use naturally occurring genes in its life forms, but makes use of custom designed base pair series. Scientists are now able to construct long base pair chains cheaply and accurately on a large scale. They perform experiments on genomes that do not exist in nature.

Advantages

Synthetic biology can improve traditional food production and manufacturing, food nutrition or add new features. Further, it can transform the traditional fermented food production.By synthesising food, we may be able to considerably reduce the negative impact of clearing forests or using fertilizers for agricultural purposes.Moreover, an array of eco-friendly products of daily use could reduce negative environmental impact.

Consumer response

The Guardian newspaper points out that ‘the technology has rapidly outstripped consumer interest”. However, according to a Pew Research Centre poll, only two out of 10 Americans are willing to give lab meat  a go.” This attitude may change in future, once more and more synthetic biology products enter the market that appeal to popular tastes.

 Impact

Synthetic biology is transforming the world economy. ‘Factors that favour the market’s growth include a wide range of popular productsarising out of synthetic biology, increased R&D funding, the declining costs of DNA sequencing and synthesis, and the increasing investments in market promotion. However, experts point out that biosafety, biosecurity, and ethical concerns related to synthetic biology could slow growth.But at the same time, lessons learned from Covid-19 vaccines could advance synthetic biology.

Ethical concerns

Like any fast-emerging technology, synthetic biology too poses certain ethical concerns that need to be addressed. These concerns relate to the impact of synthetic biology on biodiversity, ecosystems, or food and energy supplies, and the balance between humans and nature.The ethical implications of this technology need to be considered carefully. The technology needs to be applied in a responsible and sustainable manner.

The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues released its first report, namelyNew Directions: The Ethics of Synthetic Biology and Emerging Technologies, in 2010. The report concluded that the field of synthetic biology does not require new regulation, oversight bodies, or a moratorium on advancing research at this time. It, however, released general guidelines regarding the use of this technology.

Future

McKinsey estimated in a May 2020 report that as much as 60% of the global economy’s physical inputs could be made using synthetic biology, resulting in direct economic benefits of at least US$1.7 trillion between 2030 and 2040. The World Economic Forum points out that biological innovations have the potential to address 45% of the current disease burden of the world, and to produce 60% of our physical inputs into the global economy in the next 10-20 years.

Significance

Synthetic biology is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work. When biology becomes technology, ‘itbreaks down the boundaries between science, society, nature and technology that can lead us to imagine different possible futures’. The new technologies help in the advancement of knowledge and understanding, while creating useful practical applications.No wonderSteve Jobforesaw some time ago--“I think the biggest innovations of the 21st century will be at the intersection of biologyand technology. A new era is beginning.”

----------------------