合成生物學簡介 Introduction of synthetic biology

這個博客主要都是關於合成生物學的，但你又是否知道甚麼是合成生物學?

合成生物學是一個嶄新的科學領域。對於它的定義，我們參考了資料，得出了以下的簡述。

簡單來說，在科學家發現了基因段落的生物學功能，他們就將不同作用的基因像積木一樣合併在一起(使用酶切或連接等技術)，製作出一段原本不存在自然中的基因，發揮出科學家想要的功用。例如，我們可以從哺乳動物細胞和從植物細胞中取出基因，再合併在一起。而且，合成生物學家嘗試標準化基因，使其他科學家能更方便地使用和合併這些基因片段。(eg. BioBrick Foundation)

那麼有了這個學科，大家最關心當然是它能發揮甚麼作用。它可以用在農業、能源、製造業和醫學等等。例如：研究合成生物能源、製作新藥物。我們也會在這個博客分享更多不同的研究，一同發掘這個新學科。

當然，合成生物學還有很多不同的詮釋，更專業的詮釋。你們可以參考我們建議的網頁或是再作搜尋。希望我們可以一同學習更多。

最後，這個Video 很生動地簡述了甚麼是合成生物學，你們不妨看看吧!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD5uNAMbDaQ&list=PLZvOUU2F_2puIDzYONkUcgmjWrO-yGChx&index=1

This blog is mainly about "synthetic biology" but do you know what it is?

Synthetic biology is a novel scientific field.

Simply said, when scientists discover the biological function of pieces of DNA, they can combine different DNA just like Legos (eg. with the use of digestion or ligation). Then, the fragments of DNA can be assembled into one piece which normally does not exist in the nature. That product can express function as scientists prefer. For example, we can extract DNA from mammalian cells and plant cells. Then, put them together. Besides, synthetic biologists try to standardize the gene and let other scientists use the gene in a more convenient way. (eg. BioBrick Foundation)

However, you may ask what is the application of this new field of science. It can actually be applied to agriculture, energy, manufacture and medical field and etc. For example, investigate synthetic biofuel or new drugs. We are going to share various researches in this blog.

Of course, there are different or more professional interpretation of synthetic biology. You can have a look of the suggested websites or search "synthetic biology".

At last, we would like to suggest this video to you. This animation describes synthetic biology in an interesting way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD5uNAMbDaQ&list=PLZvOUU2F_2puIDzYONkUcgmjWrO-yGChx&index=1

Reference:
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%90%88%E6%88%90%E7%94%9F%E7%89%A9%E5%AD%A6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD5uNAMbDaQ&list=PLZvOUU2F_2puIDzYONkUcgmjWrO-yGChx&index=1

http://syntheticbiology.org/FAQ.html

http://biobricks.org/about-foundation/board-of-directors/