Synthetic Biology

A number of high-profile researchers and institutions across the US are jumping on to a movement they're calling synthetic biology. The problems are old (biofuel production, cancer therapy, small molecule production, etc.), but the philosophy is new. The aim is to develop a bottom-up approach to assembling, from simple and standardized parts, living organisms that perform defined tasks. Check out the latest in the field - most of the talks from the synthetic biology 2.0 conference are available as online webcasts.