Prof John Love - A Brief Introduction to Synthetic Biology

Summary by Year 13 student Mary C

On Friday 24 February 2023, Professor John Love (from the University of Exeter) gave the members of Sixth Form a talk on ‘A Brief Introduction to Synthetic Biology’.

Context and concepts

Firstly, Professor Love described the context leading up to the first synthetic molecule: including mentions of Aristotle and Alchemists who pondered on the questions of life and the possibilities of combining organisms and also the rivalling theories around the 17th century of the ‘causal mechanism’ and the ‘vital theory’. These prerequisites eventually led Friedrich Wöler to synthesise the first synthetic chemical conversion of Urea (from ammonium cyanate) in 1828.

Following this, in 1953, scientists Miller and Urey performed an experiment to test if the combination of water, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen under certain conditions could create a spontaneous generation of life- organic compounds such as amino acids were recovered subsequently.

The principles of these discoveries such as the Miller-Urey experiment underpin the knowledge of synthetic biology today. In the modern age, synthetic biology is based on bio-design, artificial molecular modules and well-characterised cellular ‘chassis' (the host organism) as well as applying engineering concepts to further the development of synthetic biology.

The Synthetic Biology Framework

‘Life is a hierarchical assembly of modular, genetically encoded functions’ – from the presentation. The solution behind synthetic biology today can be summarised here:

Alignment: the appropriate solution to address the stated problem.

Modularity: genetic modules enable rapid assembly of parts (programs).

Predictability: characterised parts and chassis yield expected outputs.

Reliability: uniform performance of the resultant SynBio device.

Optimisation: holistic analysis of inputs, reactor conditions, chassis, devices, outputs and associated constraints such as finance.

To accomplish this, technologies such as bioinformatics, ‘omics’ technologies, gene synthesis and others are used. These techniques can be used to explore ideas such as modelling evolutionary or metabolic pathways that never previously occurred in nature. Regardless of trying to achieve total predictability, living systems are complex (and often unpredictable). ‘Orthogonal ' engineering aims to insulate the synthetic system from the host chassis as much as possible.

Examples of Synthetic Biology:

Here I will now list some examples that Professor Love mentioned that can be applied in synthetic biology. The minimal genome: trying to minimise the required number of protein-coding genes to sustain a viable synthetic cell. The synthetic repressilator: a molecular oscillator composed of three interacting genes connected in a negative feedback loop, plus one reporter. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines: using live/attenuated virus, related viral vector carrying appropriate antigens (Oxford-AstraZeneca; Sputnik 2), protein/peptide subunits (Novavax) and Nucleic acid encoding antigens (Pfizer-Biotech; Moderna).

4th Generation Biofuels and Professor Love’s research

As decarbonisation is vital, researchers have been trying to find ways to detract from the use of petroleum and other fossil fuels. However, the current biofuels cannot be produced at sufficient volumes and at a low enough cost to replace fossil fuels and thus research is being conducted to counteract both the cost and efficiency of biofuels. Professor Love then discusses the 4th gen bio-alkanes that have been synthesised via exploiting naturally occurring organic molecules, for example: Endogenous E. Coli for lipid metabolism.

Conclusions and challenges

There are many conclusions and challenges that can be postulated to ensure the sustainability of synthetic biology and biofuels. Including: developing industrially-compatible biocatalysts for bioprocessing, reducing the financial burden associated with producing sufficient and renewable volumes of biofuels in the future. Synthetic biology is still in its early stages and for the future, scientists hope to further develop biological pathways, knowledge associated with the chassis and achieving materiality.