Scientists from Keele University are collaborating on a new study to help other researchers create, analyse and share biological designs for a variety of useful applications. 

Keele researchers Dr Goksel Misirli and Dr Roberto Galizi, from Computer Science and Life Sciences respectively, are working to create a new computational infrastructure for the synthetic biology community. 

The interdisciplinary field of synthetic biology allows scientists to design, construct, and modify biological systems and organisms for useful purposes, combining the knowledge and principles of biology, engineering, and computer science.  

Some scientists working in synthetic biology are focused on the concept of genetic circuits, formed of networks of genes and other genetic or molecular elements to control how cells function and respond. Examples include the production of new drugs, biofuels, and diagnostic tools.  

These circuits can also be used by scientists, for example, to prevent mosquitoes from transmitting diseases like malaria. This infrastructure that the Keele team aims to produce will enable scientists to create their designs to develop novel applications, including the prevention of diseases or promoting healthy functions and behaviours, as well as allowing other researchers to replicate them more easily. 

This infrastructure will enable the digitisation and standardisation of biological designs, including features to create, visualise, and validate them. Dr Galizi’s team is already working on the development of new genetic tools for infectious disease prevention, and this ongoing experimental research will be used to inform the creation of real-world examples in collaboration with the scientific community. 

Dr Goksel Misirli, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Keele University, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the synthetic biology community both in the UK and globally. Standardisation and increased reproducibility will further enhance the development of new tools and useful workflows and automation.” 

Dr Roberto Galizi, Reader in Infectious Diseases, added: “Genetic technologies have opened new opportunities to solve major problems affecting human and animal health and economy. However, these require accurate design to maximise their chance for success as well as being useful to other researchers for additional applications. We are extremely excited to be part of this new project and integrate these tools to the development of new methods to combat vector borne diseases such as malaria.”