Biomedical Applications

Synthetic biology is enabling technology for new vaccines and therapeutics. DNA constructs can be readily synthesized on demand starting from DNA sequence. This session will highlight progress in engineering DNA constructs such that they may be used directly as DNA vaccines, or expressed to generate RNA vaccines, protein therapeutics, and attenuated viruses (e.g., for generation of a flu vaccine). These technologies also enable the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of diseases. Major challenges include biological design, and DNA delivery and expression within the host. New approaches and applications of synthetic biology as it relates to medicine will be highlighted in these talks.