Synthetic Biology: From the Past to the Future

Abstract

Synthetic biology is a highly promising interdisciplinary field aimed at integrating knowledge and techniques from various disciplines to achieve precise control and manipulation of biological systems. Since the discovery of DNA structure by Watson and Crick in 1953, synthetic biology has undergone rapid development. During this time, synthetic biologists have developed numerous tools and technologies to better understand biological systems and to develop new methods for constructing and manipulating these systems. Initially, synthetic biology research was mainly focused on genetic engineering, with the primary goal of inserting artificially synthesized DNA into biological systems to achieve specific functions. However, over time, this field has become increasingly complex, and researchers have begun exploring broader issues, such as how to integrate biological and non-biological systems and how to use these systems for medical and environmental applications. In recent years, synthetic biology research has reached new heights, involving the construction of artificially synthesized genomes and cells, and how to apply these systems to medical, energy, and environmental fields. These research achievements offer enormous potential for treating diseases, reducing pollution, and producing clean energy. In addition, the development of synthetic biology also involves artificial intelligence and machine learning, which can help accelerate the design and construction of biological systems, thus speeding up the progress of synthetic biology. Although synthetic biology still faces many challenges, the development prospects of this field are still very promising with the continuous advancement of technology. This article aims to provide an overview of the development of synthetic biology, including its historical background, early development, technological advances, applications, ethical and social impacts, and future directions, and explore the development process of synthetic biology over the past 60 years.