Nat sci Gibson, D.G. et al (2010)
Science
Published: May 2010
We report the design, synthesis and assembly of the 1.08-Mbp Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0 genome starting from digitized genome sequence information and its transplantation into a Mycoplasma capricolum recipient cell to create new Mycoplasma mycoides cells that are controlled only by the synthetic chromosome. The only DNA in the cells is the designed synthetic DNA sequence, including “watermark” sequences and other designed gene deletions and polymorphisms, and mutations acquired during the building process. The new cells have expected phenotypic properties and are capable of continuous self-replication.
Social O'Malley, M.A. (2010)
Biological Theory 4(4), 1-12
Published: May 2010
Synthetic biology is an umbrella term that covers a range of aims, approaches, and techniques. They are all brought together by common practices of analogizing, synthesizing, mechanizing, and kludging. With a focus on kludging as the connection point between biology, engineering, and evolution, I show how synthetic biology's successes depend on custom-built kludgets and a creative, "make-it-work" attitude to the construction of biological systems. Such practices do not fit neatly, however, into synthetic biology's celebration of rational design. Nor do they straightforwardly embody Richard Feynman's "last blackboard" statement (1988) that without creating something it cannot be understood. Reflecting further on the relationship between synthetic construction and knowledge making gives philosophy of science new avenues of insight into scientific practice.
Note: This article is part of a special issue on the historical and philosophical foundations of synthetic biology
