Define 'protocell' in the context of synthetic biology.
A self-organized, endogenously ordered, spherical collection of lipids proposed as a stepping-stone to the origin of life.
Define 'allosteric regulation' in enzyme activity.
The regulation of an enzyme by binding an effector molecule at a site other than the enzyme's active site.
Define 'systems biology'.
An approach in biology that focuses on the systematic study of complex interactions within biological systems, to understand the larger picture of how biological processes work.
Define 'gene annotation'.
The process of identifying the locations of genes and all of the coding regions in a genome and determining what those genes do.
Define 'synthetic ecology'.
The study and design of artificial ecological systems with the aim of understanding natural ecosystems and creating sustainable solutions.
What does 'cell-free protein synthesis' involve?
Producing proteins without the use of living cells, using the necessary cellular machinery in a controlled environment.
Define 'synthetic biology'.
A field of science that involves redesigning organisms for useful purposes by engineering them to have new abilities.
What does 'biosensor' refer to in synthetic biology?
A biological component that detects specific biomolecules, signaling their presence.
Define 'biological chassis'.
Organisms or cells designed to be easily manipulated for the production of biological materials or the performance of biological functions.
Define 'molecular farming'.
Producing and harvesting proteins and other metabolites of commercial interest by genetically engineered plants or animals.
Define 'cellular automata' in the context of synthetic biology.
Mathematical models used to simulate cellular processes or logic functions within synthetic biological systems.
Define 'molecular assembler'.
Hypothetical devices that could place atoms or molecules in precise positions, potentially allowing the construction of complex objects from the molecular level up.
Define 'metagenomics'.
The study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples, bypassing the need for isolating and culturing individual species.
Define 'epigenetics' in the context of synthetic biology.
The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.
Define 'orthogonal biosystems'.
Systems that operate independently within a host without interfering with its native biological processes.
What does 'de-extinction' entail in synthetic biology?
The process of reviving extinct species through techniques like cloning and genome editing.
Name a synthetic biology application in medicine.
Production of synthetic insulin.
Define 'bioaugmentation'.
The process of adding cultured microbes into the environment to restore equilibrium or enhance the degradation of pollutants.
Define 'metabolomics'.
The scientific study of chemical processes involving metabolites, the small molecule substrates, intermediates, and products of metabolism.
What does 'artificial life' research entail in synthetic biology?
The study and creation of life-like systems made from synthetic biological components, to understand life and create systems that mimic biological properties.
Define 'proteomics'.
The large-scale study of proteomes, which are the entire set of proteins produced or modified by an organism or system.
Define 'biological engineering'.
The application of principles of biology and the tools of engineering to create usable, tangible, economically viable products.
What does 'biosynthesis' refer to?
The process by which living organisms produce complex compounds from simple substances.
Define 'operon'.
A unit of DNA that contains a cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter, allowing genes to be transcribed together.
Define 'xenobiology'.
A subdiscipline of synthetic biology that involves creating organisms with entirely novel, synthetic genetic codes.