The Rise of Synthetic Biology Synthetic biology is an emerging field that applies engineering principles to biology. By redesigning organisms for useful purposes, synthetic biology aims to make biology easier to engineer. The development of new techniques like DNA synthesis and genome editing has accelerated progress in the field. Synthetic biologists can now design and construct new biological systems like genetic circuits and metabolic pathways. New DNA sequences can be engineered from scratch or existing sequences can be modified. These techniques are enabling new applications across industries like healthcare, materials, and agriculture. Healthcare Applications One promising area is healthcare. Synthetic biologists are engineering bacteria to produce novel drugs and therapies. By reengineering E. coli and other microbes, researchers have created bacteria that produce anti-cancer drugs, insulin, and other therapeutics. This "pharmaceutical hacking" could dramatically cut production costs compared to traditional methods. Synthetic Biology is also being applied to diagnostics. Researchers have created synthetic gene networks that can detect disease biomarkers from patient samples. One example is a synthetic biosensor that rapidly detects harmful E. coli in food and water. These on-site diagnostics could improve public health monitoring worldwide. Beyond drugs and testing, synthetic biology may offer new treatment modalities. Scientists have developed engineered viruses that can target and destroy cancer cells. Known as oncolytic viruses, these therapeutic viruses enter cancer cells but not healthy cells. With further development, oncolytic viruses could provide a novel approach to cancer treatment. Applications in Materials The field is also exploring applications in advanced materials. Researchers have created microbes that produce materials like spider silk. By expressing silk-spinning genes in E. coli, synthetic biologists have produced artificial spider silk fibers that are stronger than nylon. Other examples include engineering bacteria to create biofuels, bioplastics and new antibiotics. One project engineered E. coli to convert plant waste into liquid fuels like gasoline and diesel. This "renewable crude" produced by engineered microbes could help replace fossil fuels. Synthetic biological materials could offer renewable and sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. Food and Agriculture Synthetic approaches are applied to agriculture as well. Microbes have been engineered to fix nitrogen from the air, improving fertilizer efficiency. This reduces costs and pollution from synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Researchers are also developing crops with enhanced photosynthesis, drought tolerance and disease resistance using synthetic biology techniques. Scientists even plan to engineer microbes that can improve soil quality by providing nutrients to plants. One project aims to develop engineered bacteria that increase phosphorous availability in the soil. This could boost crop yields globally. With further development, synthetic solutions in agriculture may help address challenges from climate change, resource scarcity and increasing food demands. Regulation and Adoption While the field holds promise, synthetic biology also faces challenges. Products must demonstrate safety and efficacy through clinical trials or regulatory review processes. Public perception and "Frankenstein" fears also present challenges to adoption. However, as the field matures and more real-world applications emerge, regulations and acceptance will likely evolve to enable wider commercialization. Early commercial success stories suggest synthetic biology may soon start transforming major industries. As techniques continue advancing, the field's potential seems limitless. In the coming years, synthetic solutions could address critical global issues across multiple sectors, making biology easier to engineer than ever before. The rise of synthetic biology portends a future where living organisms are programmable manufacturing systems. For innovators and investors, the opportunities in this emerging space are just beginning.
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In this report, the market is segmented by tool, technology, application, and region.
On the basis tool, the synthetic biology market is segmented into oligonucleotides, enzymes, cloning technology kits, chassis organisms, and xeno-nucleic acids.
The chassis organisms segment is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period.
The increasing demand for green alternatives (biomass is converted to chemicals using engineered bacteria, yeasts, and other microorganisms) to fossil fuels is a key driver for this segment.Browse and in-depth TOC on “Synthetic Biology Market”162 - Tables32 - Figures214 - PagesGet Bundle Reports @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/synthetic-biology-market-889.htmlAccording to the new market research report “Synthetic Biology Market” by Tool (Oligonucleotides, Chassis Organisms, Enzymes), Technology (Genome Engineering, NGS, Cloning and Sequencing), Application (Medical (Pharmaceutical, Drug Discovery), Industrial (Renewable Energy)) - Global Forecast to 2022", published by MarketsandMarkets™, The synthetic biology market is expected to reach USD 8.84 Billion by 2022 from an estimated USD 3.57 Billion in 2017, at a CAGR of 19.9%.Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=889By application, the synthetic biology market is segmented into medical (pharmaceutical, drug discovery & therapeutics, and artificial tissue and tissue regeneration), industrial (biofuel & renewable energy, industrial enzymes, and biomaterials & green chemicals), food & agriculture, and environmental (bioremediation and biosensing) applications.
The biofuel and renewable energy segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
This high growth rate is attributed to the rising popularity of biofuels and the advantages of using genetically engineered organisms for the synthetic production of biofuels.Key players in the global synthetic biology market include Thermo Fisher (US), Novozymes (Denmark), Merck KGaA (Germany), Intrexon (US), and Agilent Technologies (US), Amyris (US), GenScript (US), Ginkgo Bioworks (US), Integrated DNA Technologies (US), New England Biolabs (US), Synthetic Genomics (US), and Twist Bioscience (US).
