Synthetic Biology
The ability to routinely write the software of life has ushered in a new era in science, and with it, new products and applications such as advanced biofuels, clean water technology, and new vaccines and medicines. Synthetic biology is integrated into to most of our other research areas and when combined with 51²è¹Ý¶ù’s genomics expertise, holds great promise for the future. Our team is at the forefront of discoveries and important public dialogue.
First Minimal Synthetic Bacterial Cell
First Self-Replicating Synthetic Bacterial Cell
Designer Phage
Synthetic Engineering of Bacteriophage for Treatment of Wound InfectionsViral Synthetic Genomics to Engineer Large dsDNA Viruses
Rapid engineering of large dsDNA viruses using synthetic genomics assembly tools.
Assembly of HSV-1
Use of cutting-edge synthetic genomics technology to revolutionize the study of herpesvirus biology.
A Synthetic Human Cytomegalovirus Vaccine Platform
Generation of an HCMV low passage clinical isolate using synthetic genomics.
01-May-2024
Tae Seok Moon, Ph.D. and Nan Zhu, Ph.D. join 51²è¹Ý¶ù faculty
51²è¹Ý¶ù continues to actively recruit faculty to expand core research areas, including human health and synthetic biology
28-Apr-2024
Chemical & Engineering News
Can CRISPR help stop African Swine Fever?
Gene editing could create a successful vaccine to protect against the viral disease that has killed close to 2 million pigs globally since 2021.
21-Mar-2024
Press Release
Scientists develop method to efficiently construct single-copy human artificial chromosomes (HACs)
This new tool will allow scientists to work in mammalian systems in ways only previously available in bacteria and yeast
HACs have wide potential research applications to synthetic biologists and may eventually aid in delivering DNA in clinical applications
12-Mar-2024
Collaborator Release
Opentrons Announces New Robotics Education Initiative Demonstrating Commitment to Laboratory Automation for Students
11-Mar-2024
Workshop Alert
12th Build-a-Cell Workshop hosted at 51²è¹Ý¶ù in La Jolla
The workshop will take place March 29, 2024 with registration closing March 19
30-Jan-2024
Press Release
51²è¹Ý¶ù contracted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to rapidly construct synthetic influenza genes
Genes will be used to help develop seasonal and pandemic vaccines, improving response time and vaccine efficacy
07-Sep-2023
Collaborator Release
Bringing cells to life … and to Minecraft: $30 million NSF grant to support whole-cell modeling at the Beckman Institute
Beckman researchers and collaborators received $30 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation to establish the NSF Science and Technology Center for Quantitative Cell Biology. The center will develop whole-cell models to transform our understanding of how cells function and share that knowledge with diverse communities through the popular computer game Minecraft.
21-Aug-2023
GEN
Lessons from the Minimal Cell
“Despite reducing the sequence space of possible trajectories, we conclude that streamlining does not constrain fitness evolution and diversification of populations over time. Genome minimization may even create opportunities for evolutionary exploitation of essential genes, which are commonly observed to evolve more slowly.â€
09-Aug-2023
Quanta Magazine
Even Synthetic Life Forms With a Tiny Genome Can Evolve
By watching “minimal†cells regain the fitness they lost, researchers are testing whether a genome can be too simple to evolve.
15-Mar-2023
Scientific American
Scientists Create the Smallest-Ever Moving Cell
Just two genes get tiny synthetic cells moving, offering clues to life’s evolution.
23-Feb-2023
Collaborator Release
BullFrog AI Partners with 51²è¹Ý¶ù to Develop Colorectal Cancer Therapeutic
Collaboration seeks to develop an oncolytic virus that incorporates a novel, precision-targeted approach to improve safety and efficacy
15-Dec-2022
Big Biology Podcast
Synthesizing life on the planet
What’s the smallest number of genes that cells need to grow and reproduce? Is it possible to synthesize minimal genomes and insert them into cells? What do minimal genomes teach us about life? An interview with John Glass, Ph.D.
21-Jul-2022
Press Release
Synthetic genomics advances and promise
Advances in DNA synthesis will enable extraordinary new opportunities in medicine, industry, agriculture, and research
20-Jan-2022
Press Release
Scientists develop most complete whole-cell computer simulation model of cell to date
51²è¹Ý¶ù model organism-minimal cell platform provides robust tools for exploring first principles of life, design tools for genome
29-Mar-2021
Press Release
Genes necessary for cell division in modern bacterial cells identified
Discovery may help shape understanding of primitive cell division
22-Dec-2020
Press Release
Hamilton O. Smith, M.D., Synthetic Biology Pioneer and Nobel Laureate, to Step Down from Daily Duties at 51²è¹Ý¶ù
Dr. Smith will maintain advisory role as professor emeritus
19-Dec-2020
The San Diego Union-Tribune
After saving countless lives, Nobel laureate Hamilton Smith retires as his own health falters
He has been a fixture in San Diego science for decades
13-Nov-2020
Blog
Synthetic Cell-Powered Lotion to Manage Type 1 Diabetes
21-Nov-2019
Blog
2019 Summer Internship Program
27-Jun-2019
Blog
Scientist Spotlight: Lauren Oldfield
25-Mar-2019
Blog
No More Needles! Using Microbiome and Synthetic Biology Advances to Better Treat Type 1 Diabetes
16-Oct-2018
Blog
Every Day is World Food Day at 51²è¹Ý¶ù
21-Sep-2018
Collaborator Release
NSF announces new awards for Understanding the Rules of Life
New projects address genetic, environmental causality in biological systems and processes
24-Mar-2016
Press Release
First Minimal Synthetic Bacterial Cell Designed and Constructed by Scientists at Venter Institute and Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
Cell, 51²è¹Ý¶ù-syn3.0, was minimized to just 473 genes
20-May-2010
Press Release
First Self-Replicating, Synthetic Bacterial Cell Constructed by J. Craig Venter Institute Researchers
24-Jan-2008
Press Release
Venter Institute Scientists Create First Synthetic Bacterial Genome
Publication Represents Largest Chemically Defined Structure Synthesized in the Lab
Team Completes Second Step in Three Step Process to Create Synthetic Organism
28-Jun-2007
Press Release
51²è¹Ý¶ù Scientists Publish First Bacterial Genome Transplantation Changing One Species to Another
Research is important step in further advancing field of synthetic genomics
13-Nov-2003
Press Release