Synthetic Biology Awareness

May 27, 2010. Upon Craig Venter's recent announcement that he has successfully inserted the synthetic genome of genitalia mycoplasma into an empty cell, the media has developed huge interest in the matter. This coincided with President Barack Obama's decision earlier to order a six month review of synthetic biology. The panel that is reviewing Obama's request include Venter and several of his synthetic biology colleagues including Jay Keasling and Drew Endy. House committee members lack knowledge regarding synthetic biology. However they were interested in the potential of synthetic biology such as in the areas of synthetic fuels or synthetic compounds. This article also mentions the selling point of this meeting as the commercialization of synthetic biology based on the vested interest of the panel.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/05/congress-obama-synthetic-bio/#more-21922

Jeremy

Drew Endy's DNA factory up and running

A project discussed for many years by many scientists, including MIT researcher and facility director Drew Endy, BIOFAB has now been up and running for the last 6 months. The (B+) International Open Facility for Advancing Biotechnology (BIOFAB), the world's first DNA factory, aims to offer scientists and students certain well-characterized pieces of DNA that can be assembled in different ways to carry out various functions. A real-world offshoot from the undergraduate iGEM competition, the BIOFAB is currently carrying out the characterization and standardization necessary to turn past iGEM projects into a true, world-wide synthetic biology registry. Read the full Nature News article, or check out the BIOFAB home page.

Dave

Synthetic Biology Matters to the President!

On July 8-9, 2010 Drew Endy and several of his colleagues were invited to the White House to discuss the ethical considerations of synthetic biology. This meeting was more for updating the Obama administration to the development and advances in the field of synthetic biology. The meeting is in response to Craig Venter's current insertion of synthetic genitalia mycoplasma genome. There are videos documenting their discussion here, and an official letter written by Barack Obama to Dr. Amy Gutmann inquiring about the potential effects of synthetically created genome.

Barack Obama's letter about synthetic biology can be found here. (PDF)

This will be covered in more detail soon!

Jeremy