Can Synthetic Biology Solve Our Problems - 1161 Words

Can synthetic biology solve our problems in biofuel production? In recent years the increased interest in biofuel production has been sparked by the environmental damage, economic impact and dwindling reserves of petroleum-based fuels and chemicals [1] causing a huge influx in investment in improving biofuel production processes. Synthetic biology has allowed biofuel production to advance by providing new methods in which they can create optimal biocatalysts for sustainable and efficient production of biofuels [2]. Synthetic biology itself is an interdisciplinary branch of biology concerned with designing, engineering and synthesising novel biological systems that are not found in nature, as well as redesigning existing ones. [3] It has also been said that is has enabled scientists to â€Å"create life from scratch† and has allowed scientists to not only better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in such processes but the basic principles of biology as a whole [4]. One particular popular definition states it is theâ€Å"designing and constructing of biological devices, biological systems, and biological machines for useful purposes.†[5]. A biofuel, by definition, is a fuel that’s made from living things or their waste [6] and the most commonly extracted and used is ethanol and diesel and are usually produced from crops such as wheat, soybeans, corn and sugarcane [7]. Obviously, as prices of crude oil are soaring biofuel is becoming more and more in demand and it does haveShow MoreRelatedBioengeneering: Improving Health and Lifestyle for Humans874 Words   |  4 Pagesimprove the health of humans by applying biology in engineering. Imagine a world without sick people, or people with deformity. This may be hard to imagine, but with the remarkable inventions and solutions developed and produced by bioengineers, this scenario we can currently only imagine in our heads will hopefully eventually become an ordinary norm. It is crucial to help people who were born with a body that restricts them from doing something everyone else can. They deserve to be able to move andRead MoreHistory of Engineering1060 Words   |   5 Pagesfor ingenium which means innate quality, especially mental power. Engineer dates back to 1325 when an engine’er, someone who operates an engine, was referred to by a conductor as an engineer. (Ford) Engineers go through much education before they can regularly get a job. Most engineering jobs require 4 years at a university. A degree in the appropriate field is highly recommended. Courses offering hands on training are important. Engineers usually must be registered and/or licensed. EngineersRead MoreThe Problem Of Global Poverty1609 Words   |  7 PagesPoverty is one of the largest dilemmas plaguing the world today. Solutions to solving the global issue of poverty are constantly debated, as world leaders try to find the best possible approach. However, in order to work towards solving the problem of global poverty, we must first identify the key cause. The main source of global poverty is the inaccessibility to food as a necessary biological need, otherwise known as world hunger. Food is necessary in order to live. It provides fuel for basic biologicalRead MoreBio Hackers : Saving The World !899 Words   |  4 PagesSaving the World! A chip that slips in under the skin to track a person’s critical information such as heart rate, pulse, temperature and other signs is currently being created and tested by Bio-hackers. Another Bio-hacker is developing crops that can resist cold temperatures such as orange crops. Biohackers are making a difference today with their eyes on tomorrow. Bio-hackers are tinkering with the DNA of existing organisms to create new ones and will lead to innovations of a biological natureRead MoreWhat Is Nature Or What It?1491 Words   |  6 Pagesespecially when discussing the topic of what is nature or what is natural. We all have different connotations attached to the word nature. None of these connotations are wrong they are just different. They are a product of our religion, our biology, and the experiences of our life. There have been many interesting pieces of writing that have ether directly or indirectly defined nature to us what nature is. Whether it is an acenet story passed down though oral tradition through out generations orRead MoreDevelopment And Growth Of The Global Agricultural Biotechnology Industry1171 Words   |  5 Pagesto of worthy of amassing 29.3 billion US dollars by the end of the year 2020 growing at a CAGR rate of 9.5% during the predicted period from the year 2013 to 2020. The global as the market has been separated into transgenic crops, tools, and synthetic biology-enabled items based upon its functions and uses Demand for food manufacture has grown owing to large population resulting in the requirement of more food to fulfill the food needs of the worlds people. This is a critical factor contributingRead MoreWhat Is Nature Or What It?1480 Words   |  6 Pagesnature or what is natural because it is not a question that has a clear answer. We all have different connotations attached to the word nature. None of these connotations are wrong. They are just different. They are a product of our religion, our biology, and the experiences of our life. There have been many provocative thoughts expressed about what is natural that have either directly or indirectly defined nature to us. Whether it is an ancient story passed down through oral tradition throughout generationsRead MoreImpacts of Applications of Chemistry on Society and the Environment3915 Words   |  16 Pagestimes, Chemistry has played a pivotal role in the advancement and enrichment of civilization, although sometimes it has also caused harmful and occasional long-reaching catastrophic effects on the environment. The importance of this sphere of science can be demonstrated by the fact that entire periods in history were named the Iron Age and the Bronze Age, according to the level of chemical endeavor of that time. The content in this report will comment on the various implications of science on societyRead MoreUnit 1 KEY QUESTIONS Essay2265 Words   |  10 Pagesdiscover more about biology and to gain insight on plant and animal species. The stated intent of the voyage was to obtain evidence that supported the biblical theory of creation as well as chart poorly known parts of the South American coastline. 2. Why does the Antibiotic resistance problem represent an example of evolution? The antibiotic problem is a perfect example of evolution because it shows how species have adapted and evolved based on their environment. It shows how bacteria can adjust and eitherRead MoreTechnological Singularity1755 Words   |  8 PagesRaymond Kurzweil, one of the leading inventors of our time, in his most recent futurist manifesto: â€Å"The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology† (2005). Kurzweil estimates that machines will inevitably be able to surpass our thinking capabilities within a few decades. Kurzweils speculative reasoning has been heavily debated and challenged. In Aamodt and Wangs article they point out that there are fundamental differences between our brains and computers that makes Kurzweils predictions