Molecular Bioengineering
Molecular Bioengineering encapsulates research whose primary focus is the design, creation and application of biomolecular systems utilising natural or modified biological components and/or non-biological components in novel combinations. It therefore combines design of new genetic circuitry in synthetic biology, new methods of interfacing man-made devices with biology, and nanoscale assembly of structures, materials and devices based on biomolecules. One component of this theme, Synthetic Biology, has frequently featured in the news recently, because of the perceived power of its underpinning engineering-inspired methodologies. Our approach to this field is more holistic and leans heavily on the strategies and methods developed in SB and BMC. This allows us to pursue highly novel research objectives via diverse design routes.
Synthetic biology describes a burgeoning field in which biomolecular components (natural or synthetic) are newly combined or reorganised in order to create novel genetic and biochemical circuitry, pathways, and ultimately organisms. Some are already categorising it as a hybrid discipline between science and engineering. As with many developing fields, there are a number of different opinions as to what technologies and objectives are most important. However, the most useful definition of synthetic biology is undoubtedly a more general one that incorporates a number of activities.
For example, a number of groups (primarily in the USA) have focused on the creation and use of “toolboxes” of genetic components (see here) that can be combined to build synthetic circuitry or networks. Different types of synthetic gene circuitry have been built to engineer new properties into living cells, including oscillators, toggle switches, logic gates, positive and negative feedback loops, and cell-cell communication networks. Construction of such circuitry is usually preceded by modelling and simulation, so that theoretical predictions of systems behaviour can be rigorously tested through experimentation. Of course, novel circuitry can also be built in order to generate new devices with practical applications, such as sensors. Another approach, already being pursued by members of the MIB community, is to construct regulatory circuitry that can be used to select for new properties of specific components (protein, DNA or RNA) via in vivo evolution and selection. Indeed, a major focus in the MIB is the design, construction, testing and application of orthogonal circuitry in bacteria and yeast, utilizing novel components ranging from orthogonal protein - DNA and protein - RNA pairs to orthogonal membrane receptor-ligand pairs.
Nanoscale bioengineering relates to the interface of bioscience and nanotechnology in bottom-up fabrication of precisely defined functional structures, materials and devices based on biomolecules such as peptides, saccharides and lipids. The main challenges that currently limit the complexity that can be achieved in these systems relate to a poor understanding of the ‘design rules’ and limited control over the self-assembly processes (nucleation and growth of structures). These challenges are addressed by researchers in the MIB by using a combination of computation, rational design and in-depth analysis using a wide range of state of the art spectroscopic and nano/microscopic techniques. In addition, new approaches that direct the self-assembling systems towards desired minima in the free energy landscape include templating using organic and inorganic nanoparticles and enzyme-assisted self-assembly. Applications of these designed biomolecule-based nanomaterials are explored in biology (3D cell culture, biosensing) and nanotechnology (nanoelectronics, templating).
There are also numerous applications for self-assembling systems in the creation of new types of nanodevice, and even computing technology. For example, by combining biomolecular complexes with nanoscale inorganic or organic systems, it is possible to generate hybrid nanodevices that respond to biochemical stimuli, with applications as sensors, actuators, mechanical force transducers, catalysts or optically active components. The development of bioelectronic devices involves the use of biomolecules as charge transfer and storage media as well as the application of electronics in the generation of biochips, biosensors and light harvesting devices. Micro- and nano-fabrication technologies play key roles in the above research areas.
Group Leaders: Andrew Doig, Peter Fielden, Sabine Flitsch, Nick Goddard, Hui Lu, John McCarthy, Jason Micklefield, Aline Miller, Nigel Scrutton, Richard Snook, Nick Turner, John Vickerman, Simon Webb, Hans Westerhoff, Xue-Feng Yuan .