The aim of synthetic biology is to treat life as programmable matter and to reprogram it to serve human ends. This requires understanding the intricate mechanisms underpinning living cells and devising ways to manipulate those systems. Genome editing, for instance using CRISPR-Cas, is a key tool.⁸ DNA synthesis has become much faster and cheaper, enabling researchers to create microorganisms with wholly synthetic genomes from scratch.⁹ AI will be a major driver for advances in synthetic biology. This has already been seen with AlphaFold’s ability to convert DNA sequence into predictable protein structures.

Future Horizons:

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5-yearhorizon

Synthesis tools mature

Speedy synthesis of longer pieces of DNA spanning hundreds of kilobases is achieved. Synthetic RNA/DNA devices for cell control begin to make an impact. AI is able to infer function from the structure of all biological molecules, changing how we design, alter and annotate genomes. Computational tools currently used in model organisms are readily adaptable for non-model organisms. Cell-free systems further accelerate design-build-test-learn cycles.

10-yearhorizon

Synthesis costs fall

DNA synthesis becomes as cheap as DNA sequencing. Generic, widely accessible platforms and chassis for synthetic biology appear. Synthetic biology and biomaterial design are integrated. Dependence on plasmids is reduced, allowing integration of much longer DNA sequences into organisms. Improved genotype-phenotype mapping enables more rational design and prediction of effects of interventions, and AI starts to predict emerging phenomena. Proteins for catalysis are designed. Ethics and access to the technology start to shape its development and use.

25-yearhorizon

AI improves user access for synthesis

Integration of AI enables users to supply instructions in human language, which are then implemented in the molecular construction. Rational design of synthetic microbial ecosystems is achieved. Researchers develop fully designed microbial genomes for specific tasks. Heavily automated synthetic biology labs function as “cloud labs” for biological research. Massive parallel editing of genomes, with hundreds of thousands of changes at a time, becomes possible. Sustainable partnership with the planet allows the design of entire biological ecosystems that serve those who need them the most.

A major challenge is to create generic platforms for synthetic biology. These will improve the accessibility of the technology, especially in the developing world, and open the way to more repeatable experiments. Synthetic biology platforms could include artificial vesicles for catalysis of reactions and delivery of molecules,¹⁰ programmable systems for glueing proteins,¹¹ and micro-organisms with minimal genomes that are more readily reprogrammed and rationally designed.¹² Ecosystems of synthetic organisms also have potential but are under-explored.¹³

In order to achieve the desired goals quickly and effectively, there is a need to develop new methods of designing synthetic organisms. Multiple avenues are being explored: some focus on designing organisms that exhibit goal-seeking and problem-solving behaviours,¹⁴ while others are aiming for an open-ended evolutionary process that will continue to develop and change.¹⁵

The opportunities of synthetic biology come with risk. Engineered organisms have considerable potential to harm humans and ecosystems intentionally or accidentally. Hence some synthetic biologists are devising ways to contain their engineered organisms:¹⁶ for instance, ensuring organisms can survive only when given a specific chemical that is not found in nature.¹⁷ The best strategies will use multiple orthogonal control systems, providing several fail-safes to minimise the chances of escape.¹⁸

Fundamental synthetic biomolecules - Anticipation Scores

The Anticipation Potential of a research field is determined by the capacity for impactful action in the present, considering possible future transformative breakthroughs in a field over a 25-year outlook. A field with a high Anticipation Potential, therefore, combines the potential range of future transformative possibilities engendered by a research area with a wide field of opportunities for action in the present. We asked researchers in the field to anticipate:

The uncertainty related to future science breakthroughs in the field
The transformative effect anticipated breakthroughs may have on research and society
The scope for action in the present in relation to anticipated breakthroughs.

This chart represents a summary of their responses to each of these elements, which when combined, provide the Anticipation Potential for the topic. See methodology for more information.