Scientific issues and innovations are figuring into everyday conversation more than ever before. Recognizing that we could all use some brushing up, Seed offers its Cribsheet.

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Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology is a field devoted to creating better tools for biological engineering, which could be used to create new biological systems. This Cribsheet summarizes the basics of biotechnology and explains how to assemble and program strands of DNA. It also charts the progress of synthetic biology toward a future of cheap, powerful, easy-to-use biotechnology tools that may be difficult to regulate or control.

Download the Crib Sheet

Illustrator: Thomas Porostocky — www.porostocky.com Writer: Lee Billings and Drew Endy Consultant: Drew Endy, Assistant Professor of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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