Special Synthetic Biology issue by the Royal Society Interface and IET Synthetic Biology Journals.

Organised by Jim Haseloff, Jim Ajioka and Richard Kitney

This special joint issue contains a collection of articles that describe efforts to establish improved software and biological tools for the design and assembly of synthetic DNA-based programmes. 

This synthetic biology approach is arising as a result of the collision between science and engineering. It is especially appropriate that this special issue is co-sponsored by the Royal Society and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. As well as representing the twin disciplines of science and technology, the two institutions have provided strong support and guidance for the emerging field, and the collection of articles provides an insight into thinking about current challenges in the field, and prospects for future progress.

Areas covered include DNA synthesis and assembly, the design of genetic networks, microbial systems, artificial life and the ethical, social and economic implications of synthetic biology. All the contributions are free to access online - at The Royal Society Synthetic Biology Gateway.