We report the design, synthesis, and assembly of the 1.08-Mbp Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0 genome starting from digitized genome sequence information and its transplantation into a Mycoplasma capricolum recipient cell to create new Mycoplasma mycoides cells that are controlled only by the synthetic chromosome. The only DNA in the cells is the designed synthetic DNA sequence, including "watermark" sequences and other designed gene deletions and polymorphisms, and mutations acquired during the building process.

We have designed a bacterial system that is switched between different states by red light. The system consists of a synthetic sensor kinase that allows a lawn of bacteria to function as a biological film, such that the projection of a pattern of light on to the bacteria produces a high-definition (about 100 megapixels per square inch), two-dimensional chemical image.

Inducible gene expression based upon Tet repressor\r\n(tet regulation) is a broadly applied tool in molecular\r\ngenetics. In its original environment, Tet repressor\r\n(TetR) negatively controls tetracycline (tc) resistance\r\nin bacteria. In the presence of tc, TetR is induced and\r\ndetaches from its cognate DNA sequence tetO, so\r\nthat a tc antiporter protein is expressed. In this article,\r\nwe provide a comprehensive overview about tet regulation\r\nin bacteria and illustrate the parameters of different\r\nregulatory architectures.

Genetic engineering is entering a new era, where microorganisms can be programmed using synthetic constructs of DNA encoding logic and operational commands. A toolbox of modular genetic parts is being developed, comprised of cell-based environmental sensors and genetic circuits. Systems have already been designed to be interconnected with each other and interfaced with the control of cellular processes. Engineering theory will provide a predictive framework to design operational multicomponent systems.

In the vein of Richard Feynman's phrase, 'What I cannot create I do not understand,' the authors simultaneously warn about the limits of analysis of complex systems and support the process of discovery through design

A report of the complete genome sequence of the model Sorangium strain S. cellulosum So ce56

The formation and regulation of macromolecular complexes provides the backbone of most cellular processes, including gene regulation and signal transduction. The inherent complexity of assembling macromolecular structures makes current computational methods strongly limited for understanding how the physical interactions between cellular components give rise to systemic properties of cells. Here, we present a stochastic approach to study the dynamics of networks formed by macromolecular complexes in terms of the molecular interactions of their components.

The authors discuss an alternative to traditional recombinant DNA techniques, utilizing synthetic DNA and accelerated evolution, that could speed up the process of doing synthetic biology.

Purnick and Weiss, professors of electrical engineering at Princeton University, discuss the need for synthetic biology to turn its focus from creating smaller scale modules and devices to larger scale, complex systems incorporating the smaller scale modules and allowing for more innovation.

The authors describe the potential benefits and challenges of synthetic biology's utilization of biomass conversion to change the US economy's dependence on fossil fuels.