Synthetic biology is a powerful approach to provide a bottom-up reductionist perspective on understanding biological systems. Although synthetic biology has been widely utilized for engineering biotechnological applications, it also provides a unique means to advance our basic understanding of plant systems. This Research Topic focuses on key areas in the plant sciences that may uniquely benefit from synthetic biology and identify gaps in our knowledge that may enable future engineering efforts.
In particular, plant metabolism is intertwined with plant physiology, and thus efforts to modify metabolism inherently will affect physiology and vice versa. The field of plant synthetic biology encompasses not only engineered applications of agriculture but also improving our basic understanding of plant systems. This evolving field includes the development of tools and resources that enable our ability to manipulate facets of plant metabolic processes. Moreover, a general theme of synthetic biology is to control aspects of physiology in a predictive manner. Currently, the tools and resources required to enable this are lacking in plant systems, and further development is a key area in advancing the state-of-the-art in plant synthetic biology.
The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight the role of synthetic biology in improving our understanding of plant metabolism and physiology and in harnessing the plant's potential through unique engineered applications. Particular topics of interest are:
• Leveraging synthetic biology to probe plant physiology
• Engineering facets of plant metabolism
• Technology, tools, and resources that are needed to advance plant synthetic biology efforts
We welcome the following article types: Original Research, Reviews, and Opinions.
Synthetic biology is a powerful approach to provide a bottom-up reductionist perspective on understanding biological systems. Although synthetic biology has been widely utilized for engineering biotechnological applications, it also provides a unique means to advance our basic understanding of plant systems. This Research Topic focuses on key areas in the plant sciences that may uniquely benefit from synthetic biology and identify gaps in our knowledge that may enable future engineering efforts.
In particular, plant metabolism is intertwined with plant physiology, and thus efforts to modify metabolism inherently will affect physiology and vice versa. The field of plant synthetic biology encompasses not only engineered applications of agriculture but also improving our basic understanding of plant systems. This evolving field includes the development of tools and resources that enable our ability to manipulate facets of plant metabolic processes. Moreover, a general theme of synthetic biology is to control aspects of physiology in a predictive manner. Currently, the tools and resources required to enable this are lacking in plant systems, and further development is a key area in advancing the state-of-the-art in plant synthetic biology.
The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight the role of synthetic biology in improving our understanding of plant metabolism and physiology and in harnessing the plant's potential through unique engineered applications. Particular topics of interest are:
• Leveraging synthetic biology to probe plant physiology
• Engineering facets of plant metabolism
• Technology, tools, and resources that are needed to advance plant synthetic biology efforts
We welcome the following article types: Original Research, Reviews, and Opinions.
