Synthetic biology is an emerging field focusing on engineering genetic devices and biomolecular systems for a variety of applications from basic biology to biotechnology and medicine. Thanks to the tremendous advances in genomics and the chemical synthesis of DNA in the past decade, scientists are now able to engineer genetic devices and circuits for cancer research and intervention, which offer promising therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. In this article, we provide a systemic review on recent development achieved by the synthetic biologists, oncologists and clinicians of one National "973" Plan. We expand the synthetic biology toolkits involving DNA, RNA and protein bio-parts to explore various issues in cancer research, such as elucidation of mechanisms and pathways, creation of new diagnostic tools and invention of novel therapeutic approaches. We claimed that the Chinese synthetic biologists are promoting the basic research productions of tumor synthetic biology into the clinic.
Keywords: Biomarker; Bladder cancer; Gene therapy; Synthetic biology.