Synthetic biology

Toying with biological systemsBy swapping microbial genes, Chris Voigt designs cells with novel functions.

Building biology, one cartoon at a time

Mimicking cells with transistorsAnalog — rather than digital — circuits could enable models of biological systems that are more efficient, more accurate and easier to build.

Killing a cancer cell from the inside outSynthetic biologists design a gene circuit that, when delivered to cancer cells, forces them to commit suicide.

Scientists unveil tools for rewriting the code of lifeNew technology from MIT and Harvard can edit DNA at the genome scale, giving cells novel functions.