What is the difference between nanotech and synthetic biology?

Nanotechnology, as we pointed out, can move individual atoms with a STM, while synthetic biology can use the metabolic processes of bacteria or yeasts to assemble large fragments of synthetic DNA (tens of thousands of genetic base-pairs) via the very efficient homologous recombination processes of the cell [Venter 2013 …

Why is synthetic biology useful?

Synthetic biology focuses on creating technologies for designing and building biological organisms. We can build organisms to consume toxic chemicals in water or soil that would not otherwise decompose, for example. It can also help us to better understand flu strains and create vaccines.

Is nanotechnology synthetic biology?

Synthetic biology aims at the design and fabrication of biological components and systems that do not already exist in the natural world and the redesign and fabrication of existing biological systems. In that sense, DNA nanotechnology can be regarded as one aspect of in vitro synthetic biology.

What is difference between nanotechnology and biotechnology?

The difference between nanotechnology and biotechnology Biotechnology uses biomolecules and organisms to develop pharmaceutical therapies, medical treatments and research, and agricultural innovations. Nanotechnology uses manmade and inorganic materials, which are typically less than 100 nm in size.

Is synthetic biology research safe?

To date there have been no reported safety problems resulting from synthetic biology research or synthetic biology products, adding to the excellent safety record for genetically engineered organisms (GMOs) or DNA recombinants. Safe Genes, a DARPA program, is one example of needed safety research [24]. …

What are synthetic nanoparticles?

Synthetic nanoparticles are produced for a specific purpose and have a defined chemical composition and size distribution. They are al- ready in use in various products and applications. In principle, there are possibilities for improving most applications and products by the use of nanomaterials or nanoparticles.

Is synthetic biology really nanotech?

If you consider nanotechnology to be the intentional manipulation of matter at the nanoscale and the exploitation of resulting material properties, then synthetic biology certainly begins to sound like nanotech.

Is synthetic biology truly transformative technology?

While synthetic biology holds the promise of being a truly transformative technology, I suspected it was in reality just advanced biochemistry; and calling it “nanotechnology” was little more than a cynical ploy to jump on the nanotech bandwagon.

How can synthetic biology improve the efficiency of metabolic engineering?

The improvements of metabolic engineering by synthetic biology is an example of a biotechnological technique utilized in industry to discover pharmaceuticals and fermentive chemicals. Synthetic biology may investigate modular pathway systems in biochemical production and increase yields of metabolic production.

How can synthetic biology be integrated with materials science?

By integrating synthetic biology with materials science, it would be possible to use cells as microscopic molecular foundries to produce materials with properties whose properties were genetically encoded.