Synthetic Biology Lecture Notes (TBX 2022)

May 28, 2024

Synthetic Biology Lecture Notes (TBX 2022)

Introduction: Personal Story

  • Speaker: Presented by Peter
  • Story: Father had a heart attack, two arteries clogged, required surgery
    • Family history: Grandfather also died of a heart attack
    • Personal impact: Concern about own health and genetic predispositions
    • Introduced son Hira and his potential genetic risks

Basics of Genetics

  • DNA inheritance: 50% from each parent
  • Presence: Found in almost all cells in humans, animals, plants, and bacteria
  • Genetic testing: Personal experiences with commercial genetic tests
    • Revealed traits like hair type, eye color, athletic predisposition, and personal characteristics

Introduction to Synthetic Biology

  • Definition: Impacts of biotechnology and synthetic biology on life and business
  • Speaker’s Background: Biohacker with training at Biohack Academy (2019)

Relevance of Synthetic Biology

  1. Healthcare:
  • Successful pig-to-human heart transplants (Xenotransplantation)
  • Genetic modification to avoid rejection
  1. Climate Crisis:
  • Enhancing plants to capture more CO2
  • Enzymes devouring plastic trash (AI-designed enzyme)
  1. Infrastructure:
  • Development of living concrete that multiplies
  1. Fashion:
  • Collaboration with mycelium startups for self-healing and self-recycling materials
  1. Food:
  • 3D printed cultured meat
  • Probiotics to alleviate hangovers (by Zbiotics)

Audience Poll

  • Results:
    • Healthcare: 50%
    • Climate: More than healthcare interest
    • Infrastructure: Less interest
    • Fashion: Moderate interest
    • Food/hangovers: High interest
  • Reasons:
    • Healthcare: Pressure on system, aiding professionals with tech
    • Climate: Immediate and significant concern

Merging of Biotech and Infotech

  • Why Now:
    • Carlson’s Curve: Genome sequencing costs dropping drastically
    • US Government’s initiatives in synthetic biology (National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative)
    • Increasing funding for synthetic biology companies
  • Synthetic Biology Definition: Biotechnology improves existing life forms; synthetic biology creates new life forms
  • Domains Interconnected: Microbiology, agriculture, chemistry, bioinformatics, computer science, physics

Practical Examples

  • Benchling software: Digital simulations before lab work
  • DeepMind: Uncovering protein structures (200 million proteins)

Ethical Considerations of Synthetic Biology

  • Data Security:
    • Risks of genetic data leakage higher than cyber data breaches
    • Example: President Obama’s genetic material security
  • Biohacking risks: Similar to IT cybersecurity but amplified
  • Gene Drive Technology:
    • MIT research: Gene modification affecting offspring, potential use in eradicating malaria
    • Ethical dilemma: Should humans tinker with evolution?

Conclusion

  • Speaker’s Reflection: Story of father’s health linked to synthetic biology messages
  • Audience Reflection: Think about both benefits and challenges of synthetic biology for personal life and business
  • Final Thought: Synthetic biology’s potential impacts and moral considerations

Thank You

[Applause]