Exploring the World of Synthetic Biology with Steven Rindner

 

Steven Rindner, an undergraduate student in New York with biology as a major, is so fascinated with the world of biology that he keeps exploring more novel things and shares his findings of concepts such as synthetic biology. 

Synthetic biology is a branch of science that redesigns organisms and makes them useful in different sectors of life by giving them new abilities. Another definition of synthetic biology states that it is a branch of science in which biologists and engineers come together to redesign and restructure the composition of various components, pathways, and networks.

The techniques employed in this kind of science include: 

1. The method to read a DNA code
2. The technique to copy the already present sequences of DNA and
3. Modifying the existing DNA by inserting other DNA sequences into it

Like every other existing concept, this too has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Steven Rindner digs deeper into the subject to find how synthetic biology will be helpful to mankind in the future. It is argued that restricting things at the molecular level paves the path to help clean up the environment. The synthetic biologists expound on the fact that they can create organisms that can be used to consume the existing toxins in the environment. Additionally, it would be easier to study and develop antidotes and vaccines for the complex flu strains.

On the flip side, the negative effects of synthetic biology cannot be overlooked. The first of it is the release of harmful systems or organisms accidentally. The second risk could be the release of harmful systems and organisms intentionally. The final negative implication of this relatively novel branch of science is the overuse of artificially made things in an otherwise majorly natural world.

Synthetic biology products are genetic toggle switch, pulse generators, memory elements, communication modules, digital logic gates, and oscillators. The field of therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, biosensing, and biofuel productions will also benefit from this revolutionary change in science.

The field of therapeutics is profited by the ease of explanations that can be got for the mechanisms of diseases. Identification of drug target, therapeutic delivery, production of drugs, therapeutic treatment are all the other areas where synthetic biology contributes positively. 

To restrict the harmful effects of synthetic biology, specific ethical standards were assessed. Alfred P.Slofan commissioned a study that was designed to speculate into the probable adverse effects of synthetic biology. The issues of biosafety and biosecurity were addressed, and it was found that the present stature of this scientific discovery does not yet pose a threat to the society. 

Following this, the environmental aspect was investigated, and it was decided that all synthetically prepared food items had to pass through a regulatory test. Considering the accelerated rate of technological and scientific advancements, it won’t be a surprise to see more students such as Steven Rindner getting interested in discovering these innovations and contributing to their creation.