Synthetic biology is the engineering design and construction of standardized parts

devices and modules to modify the natural life systems or the de novo synthesis of new life systems. Synthetic biology has been widely applied to the fields of chemical synthesis (including materials

biofuels and natural compounds)

medical industry

agriculture and environmental protection. Biological parts are used to construct synthetic modules such as toggle switch

synthetic oscillator

genetic amplifier

biologic gates and cellular counter. These synthetic modules reprogram life systems to perform specific functions. Modularized metabolic pathways are optimized in the cellular chassis to realize the biological production of bulk and fine chemicals

such as butanol

isobutanol

artemisinin

and taxol. In recent years

researchers have also developed several genome-editing and DNA assembly techniques

making it possible to perform the precise editing and synthesis of genomes. Moreover

genomes of bacteriophage

Mycoplasma genitalium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have also been successfully synthesized. In the next 50—100 years

synthetic biology will have significant influence on medical industry

chemical (including drugs) synthesis and military affairs. Synthetic biology will have a gradual but disruptive meaning to the world.