Synthetic biology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Researchers have used artificial-intelligence models to create regulatory DNA sequences that drive gene expression in specific cell types. Such synthetic sequences could be used to target gene therapies to particular cell populations.

For artificial cells to mimic living cells and communicate with their environment, methods for the translocation of peptides and proteins are needed. Here the authors demonstrate that genetically encoded and engineered α-hemolysin pores can be used to translocate functional peptides across lipid membranes.

Synthetic organelles enable the selective manipulation of cellular biochemistry. Here the authors focus on RNA modifications and use designer organelles in mammalian cells to selectively incorporate pseudouridine into mRNA using circular guide RNAs.

Lanthanides are in high global demand and a sustainable extraction practice is needed to keep pace. Here, Huang and colleagues reengineer fluorescent protein surface charges to bind and detect lanthanides.

A generalizable framework to prospectively engineer cis-regulatory elements from massively parallel reporter assay models can be used to write fit-for-purpose regulatory code.

The construction of a synthetic cell will be contingent on the development of an evolvable genetic replicator. Here, authors create a Darwinian protocell that supports protein synthesis, DNA self-replication, and adaptive evolution.

Researchers have used artificial-intelligence models to create regulatory DNA sequences that drive gene expression in specific cell types. Such synthetic sequences could be used to target gene therapies to particular cell populations.

A method using retron recombineering for phage genome modification may facilitate access to therapeutic phages.