What if assembling synthetic DNA could lead to targeted cancer treatments, genetic treatments to correct inherited disorders, or more effective vaccines? Here, we look at the development of the rapidly evolving field of synthetic genomics, its future and how it might benefit our health, climate and crops.
Wellcome
Synthetic genomics is the science of creating new, engineered organisms and cells designed to have a specific function.
Synthetic genomics builds entire genomes, often using synthetic DNA. This means that researchers can write DNA sequences that have never been seen in nature, opening doors to new biological possibilities.
But with new possibilities come profound ethical, regulatory and commercial questions.
A genome is the complete set of genetic material (DNA) in an organism. It contains all the instructions needed for that organism to grow, develop and function. In humans, the genome includes all our genes, which determine things like our traits, health and how our bodies work. Every living thing has its own unique genome, whether it's a plant, animal or bacteria.
Synthetic genomics builds DNA or RNA strands piece by piece, using processes that assemble the building blocks of DNA and RNA (nucleotides) in a specific sequence. Once these sequences are in place, they can be inserted into cells to observe the impact of the altered sequence compared to cells without those changes. Researchers use tools like this to observe how organisms behave when their genetic code is altered.
By creating and mapping DNA or RNA, synthetic genomics helps us further understand how genes are expressed in a living cell.
In the early 2000s, researchers assembled the smallest of genomes, a virus.
From here, research teams moved on to the genomes of bacteria and were able to synthesise and assemble Mycoplasma mycoides and Escherichia coli.
To build these early synthetic bacteria, researchers first mapped the bacteria’s genetic code and then assembled and edited this code to make a functional cell.
More complex organisms have bigger genomes and are harder to engineer. A research team recently created a yeast cell with synthetic chromosomes called Sc2.0.
Applying this research to even bigger organisms, such as humans and plants, remains a complicated and difficult endeavour. There are still many unknowns in gene function for larger, more complex organisms.
The field of synthetic genomics is benefitting from advancing research and technology.
Falling costs in DNA sequencing, synthesis and editing have revolutionised engineering biology, which is the application of engineering principles to the design of biological systems.
Transformative growth in machine learning is also making it easier to predict the function of genes and help design and build synthetic genomes.
As DNA assembly becomes cheaper and machine learning more effective, engineering biology is becoming more accessible to a wider range of research teams. Until now, the field of synthetic genomics has been dominated by large, well-funded and long-term projects and teams.
Synthetic genomics has the potential to drive a deeper understanding of human biology, including disease and health.
The capability to synthesise genomes with specific, known functions could revolutionise biotechnology, opening the door to safe, custom-designed therapies. For example, synthetic DNA might be used in genetic treatments to correct inherited disorders or target cancer mutations with precision.
Drugs or vaccines could be produced by engineered microorganisms.
In addition to opening entire research areas in health, synthetic genomics also has applications in our environment and food security.
Plants we eat could have synthetic genomes, which means they could withstand pests, disease and climate extremes.
Microorganisms could have designed genomes, allowing them to produce chemicals cheaply and with minimal environmental impacts.
Similarly, engineered bacteria could be used to clean up oil spills or convert waste into usable energy.
New technologies change our world and bring both possibilities and risks. To make sure that they are developed and used responsibly, in ways that benefit people and society without causing harm, they need careful regulation.
The transformative potential of synthetic genomics raises questions about how far this science should go and who decides what experiments are done.
Reports by RAND Europe, commissioned by Wellcome into oversight frameworks for emerging technologies, found that oversight for engineering biology differs greatly from country to country. They found that this fragmentation of oversight creates significant obstacles for international collaboration.
In addition, regulatory guidelines need to keep up with the pace of research and should be a priority for policymakers around the world.
Wellcome is among those leading this discussion and funding early research that embeds ethics and social sciences in its practice.
We also influence and inform policy, enabling governments and regulators to have the information they need to effectively regulate new technologies like synthetic genomics.
Groundbreaking new technologies have the potential to make us healthier – but balancing the risks while the science flourishes is key. Ignacio Vázquez, Policy Lead at Wellcome, analyses recent reports on trends in scientific advancements and how policy makers internationally are responding.
Synthetic genomics is one of the most exciting areas of biotechnology. It has the potential to produce chemicals and drugs, help treat genetic diseases, mitigate climate change and allow crops to be stress tolerant.
While this technology is still in its infancy, its possibilities are vast, and we are only beginning to scratch the surface of what it can achieve. However, as with any transformative technology, synthetic genomics raises profound ethical, regulatory and commercial questions.
Policymakers, scientists and society must engage with this new technology to make sure it is developed responsibly and that its benefits are shared equitably.
Wellcome is already taking steps to ensure that these discussions take place and funding research that embeds ethics and social considerations alongside technological development.
Our goal is to support the development of the field of synthetic genomics in a way that is as ethical, collaborative and accessible as possible. We hope to see future applications of research in this field that help create a healthier future for everyone.
