As a cutting-edge interdisciplinary field, synthetic biology integrates knowledge from multiple fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, and mathematics, aiming to design and construct new biological components, devices, and systems, or redesign and modify existing biological systems to achieve specific functions and goals.
The field of synthetic biology is highly complex and interdisciplinary, requiring a high level of talent quality. Generally, the following core competencies are required.
Interdisciplinary knowledge fusion ability: Synthetic biology breaks disciplinary boundaries and requires talents to possess the ability to integrate knowledge from multiple fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, and mathematics.
In the construction of biosynthetic pathways, it is necessary to apply biological principles to understand the metabolic network and gene regulation mechanisms within the organism, understand how cells perceive environmental signals and regulate gene expression to achieve specific functions.
Chemical knowledge is indispensable, for example, the principles of organic chemistry are used to design and synthesize biomolecules with specific functions, while biochemical knowledge helps to understand the synthesis, transformation, and degradation processes of biomolecules within cells.
Engineering thinking plays a key role in optimizing biological reaction systems, such as designing efficient bioreactors based on chemical engineering principles, controlling reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc.) to improve product synthesis efficiency; Develop miniaturized and automated biological experimental equipment using knowledge of mechanical engineering.
Computer science provides powerful tools for the analysis and processing of biological data. Proficient in programming skills such as Python, R language, etc., can handle massive amounts of gene sequence data, protein structure data, etc., establish biological system models for simulation and prediction, and assist in experimental design.
Mathematical methods are used to quantitatively describe the behavior of biological systems, such as establishing dynamic models to analyze changes in metabolic flux, and using statistical methods to evaluate the reliability and significance of experimental results.
Talents with interdisciplinary knowledge integration ability can think and solve problems from multiple dimensions, and design more reasonable and efficient biological systems.
Innovative thinking ability and experimental ability. Innovative thinking is the core driving force behind the development of synthetic biology. Need to have sharp insight, dare to break through the constraints of traditional thinking, and propose new concepts and methods.
For example, when designing gene circuits, unique logic circuits can be conceived to achieve precise control of cell behavior, such as building new biosensors to detect specific substances in the environment, or developing intelligent drug delivery systems to enable drugs to act accurately on diseased sites.
However, innovative ideas need to be validated and implemented through experiments, so solid experimental skills are crucial. Proficient in molecular biology experimental techniques, such as precise gene editing technology (CRISPR Cas system operation), able to precisely modify the genome of organisms, alter gene expression and function.
Efficient protein expression and purification techniques can obtain a large amount of active proteins for research and application; Proficient in using microbiological experimental methods, including microbial cultivation, screening, and modification, to construct efficient cell factories.
The complexity of synthetic biology determines that any project is difficult to be independently completed by personnel from a single disciplinary background, and the spirit of teamwork is one of the key factors for project success.
In a synthetic biology team, members may come from different professional fields, such as biologists focusing on fundamental research of biological systems, engineers dedicated to building and optimizing biological reaction devices, chemists responsible for synthesizing and modifying bioactive molecules, computer scientists providing data analysis and simulation support, and mathematicians modeling and optimizing from a theoretical perspective.
Talents with a spirit of teamwork are able to respect and appreciate the professional knowledge and perspectives of members from different disciplinary backgrounds, actively listen to others' opinions and suggestions, and jointly explore solutions to problems.
For example, when developing a new type of biomaterial, biologists are responsible for screening biosynthetic pathways with specific properties, engineers design suitable production processes based on biologists' research results, chemists characterize and optimize the properties of synthesized materials, computer scientists predict the properties of materials through simulations, and mathematicians quantitatively analyze and optimize the entire process.
