Synbio (ePub)

Synthetic biology is one of the 21st century's fastest cutting-edge technologies. A rapidly growing efficiency of reading and writing new genes has sparked a myriad of fascinating new applications. Nature has finally become programmable. But where will it lead us? This book is aimed towards providing you with everything you might need to start your journey in the young and exciting field of synthetic biology. You will find plentiful resources of study material, from the basics over equipment all the way to a complete protocol on how to create your own synthetic organism. But don't mistake this for a school book! Not only students and teachers get their money's worth, even stock investors and interested laymen are in for a treat. We will uncover how synbio applications are shaping our society already and to what extent they could continue to do so in the future. . Basics. What are genes? What are cells? How does it all come together? . Practice. The Design-Build-Test cycle - how do I write a new gene? What hard-, soft- and wetware do I need? . Applications. So much to discover: DNA data storage, catching serial killers, CRISPR gene editing, gene drives, de-extinction, gene therapy, cultivated meat, biofuels, artificial life, genome recoding & transplantation, cell-free protein synthesis, drugs-on-demand, microfluidics, automation, directed evolution, phage therapy and more! . Markets. What synbio companies are out there and what are they doing? . Society. Myth busting, safety & moral concerns, impact on the environment. How can synbio help usher in a bio-based economy?