AI-Powered Synthetic Biology: Emerging Technologies and Biosecurity

Dear Colleagues,

Synthetic biology, the engineering of biological systems, is undergoing a revolution with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). This powerful combination holds immense promise for advancements in medicine, agriculture, environmental solutions and biomanufacturing.

AI can accelerate the design and creation of novel organisms, optimize biological processes and unlock entirely new functionalities, such as engineering microorganisms to clean up pollutants or producing biofuels. Deep learning can analyze vast datasets to identify patterns and predict the behaviors of complex biological systems. Generative AI can then design novel biomolecules with the desired functionalities, such as the development of new enzymes, therapeutic molecules and efficacious gene circuits. Thus, AI-powered synthetic biology has the potential to revolutionize various fields and significantly improve human health and well-being in the future.

However, this exciting frontier also raises critical biosecurity concerns. The very tools that can create life-saving therapies could potentially also be used to develop harmful biological agents. Therefore, we need to explore the intersection of AI and synthetic biology, highlighting the potential benefits, the emerging biosecurity risks, and the need for responsible development, which includes ethical considerations and effective governance frameworks.

In this Special Issue, authors are invited to publish original research articles, reviews and opinions on various aspects of AI-powered synthetic biology.

Dr. Masahito Yamagata
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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