Synthetic Components Network: Towards Synthetic Biology From The Bottom Up

合成生物学是生物物理科学与工程科学交叉发展起来的新兴研究领域。从本质上讲，该领域涉及产生新的生物和所谓的仿生系统，以创造生物学中尚未观察到的新功能。这是什么意思？从本质上讲，这是一门新的科学，它可以产生新的生物和类似生物的实体，从而生产新的药物、燃料和材料。许多加入这个新领域的研究人员正在采取所谓的“自上而下”的方法：也就是说，他们采用现有的生物有机体（通常是细菌），并通过去除基因使它们更简单；或者，科学家们正在鼓励它们通过从其他生物体中引入新的基因来执行新的任务。我们建议采取相反的方法，即自下而上地构建新的合成生物系统。要做到这一点，我们需要了解生物是如何组装和组织其各种分子（蛋白质、DNA、糖等）来创造工作细胞和多细胞系统的。简而言之，我们的目标是在自然界进化的基础上创造分子工具包，然后我们将使用这些工具包来组装执行新功能的更大系统。由于这是一个全新的领域，我们不会简单地进入实验室并开始实验。首先，我们建议将来自不同学科的科学家聚集在一起，以帮助定义该领域并在其中找到明智的前进道路。我们首先这么做也有很好的道德原因，如下所述。这样的新发展总是会引起外行和公众的关注，而一个被称为“合成生物学”的领域即使没有敲响警钟，也一定会引起一些人的惊讶。作为科学家，我们进行这项研究是很重要的，以便：(1)测试我们对自然生物系统的理解的极限，(2)挖掘任何可能有益于人类和环境的潜在技术发展。在合成生物学等界面领域尤其如此，该领域在新材料、生物燃料和药物方面前景广阔。因此，作为一个网络，我们将努力在早期阶段解决任何潜在的公众关注和在新领域提出的问题。为此，我们的网络将不仅包括科学家和工程师，还包括伦理学家、哲学家和学者专家，以吸引公众参与科学和技术。这将允许对公众关注的潜在问题进行知情辩论，以及对任何新兴技术可能的好处和缺点进行彻底检查。此外，我们还与包括布里斯托尔和伯明翰智库在内的国家科学中心达成协议，举办公共活动，并建立新的设施，以提高公众对新地区的认识。

Synthetic biology is a new research field that is emerging at the interface between the biological & physical sciences and engineering. Essentially, the field involves the generation of new biological and so-called biomimetic systems to create new functions not (yet) observed in biology. What does this mean? In essence, it is a new science that could lead to new biological and biology-like entities that could produce new drugs, fuels and materials. Many researchers joining this new area are taking what is termed a 'top-down' approach: that is, they are taking existing biological organisms (usually bacteria) and making them simpler by removing genes; or the scientists are encouraging them to perform new tasks by engineering in new sets of genes from other organisms. We propose to take the opposite approach, namely to build new synthetic biological systems from the bottom up. To do this we need to understand how biology assembles and organises its various molecules (proteins, DNA, sugars and so on) to create working cells and multi-cellular systems. In short, we aim to create molecular toolkits based on those that Nature has evolved, and then we will use these toolkits to assemble larger systems that perform new functions. As this is such a new field we will not simply march into the lab and get started with experiments. First, we propose to gather together a Network of scientists from different disciplines to help define the field and a sensible way forward within it. There are also good ethical reasons why will do this first as explained below. Such new developments will always carry lay and public concerns, and a field labelled 'synthetic biology' is bound to raise some eyebrows if not alarm bells. As scientists it is important for us to conduct this research in order (1) to test the limits in our understanding of natural biological systems, and (2) to tap any potential technology developments that could benefit mankind and the environment. This is particularly so with an interface area such as synthetic biology, which promises much in terms of new materials, biofuels and medicines. Therefore, as a Network, we will endeavour to address any potential public concerns and issues raised in the new field at a very early stage. To do this, our Network will not only include scientists and engineers but also have ethicists, philosophers and academics expert in engaging the public in science and technology amongst its membership. This will allow informed debate of the potential issues of public concerns, as well as a thorough examination of the possible benefits and shortcomings of any new emerging technology. In addition, we have entered agreements with national science centres, including @Bristol and the Think Tank, Birmingham, to hold public events and create new installations to raise public awareness of the new area.