Synthetic biology - the artificial creation of biological molecules, cells, and even organisms - has the potential to revolutionize biotechnology and agriculture, allowing for the creation of novel biomaterials and fuels, opening new opportunities for DNA-based information storage and computation, and even aiding in the exploration and colonization of space. The first synthetic bacterium was created about ten years ago, and since then, the technologies supporting synthetic biology have become faster, cheaper, and more innovative. With the assistance of artificial intelligence, synthetic biology could unlock vast potential, recognized by various industries. Synthetic biology could also enable bad actors to create harmful microbes.

In the 16th episode of "We're Doomed We're Saved," Andreas Horchler and Louise von Stechow discuss the potential, risks, and some fascinating applications of synthetic biology.

Content and Editing: Louise von Stechow and Andreas Horchler

Disclaimer: Louise von Stechow, Andreas Horchler and their guests express their personal opinions, which are founded on research on the respective topics, but do not claim to give medical, investment or even life advice in the podcast.

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Image: Brett Jorden- via Unsplash

References: https://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/bio2.0/artemisinin_a_synthetic_biology_success/ https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/space/designers-blend-bacteria-and-organic-technology-into-conceptual-grow-to-wear-space-suit-line/news-story/b843c57c29d889610c236a4c7accc665 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20488990/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/2272899-artificial-life-made-in-lab-can-grow-and-divide-like-natural-bacteria/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7153315/ https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-19-9891-1_3 https://news.mit.edu/2021/dna-data-storage-0610 https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/save-it-in-dna/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31819259/ https://www.nasa.gov/space-synthetic-biology-synbio/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30929030/ https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cbic.202000091