Time to Get Serious about Measurement in Synthetic Biology

Trends Biotechnol. 2018 Sep;36(9):869-871. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.05.003. Epub 2018 Jun 4.

Abstract

For synthetic biology to mature, composition of devices into functional systems must become routine. This requires widespread adoption of comparable and replicable units of measurement. Interlaboratory studies organized through the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition show that fluorescence can be calibrated with simple, low-cost protocols, so fluorescence should no longer be published without units.

Keywords: engineering; fluorescence; measurement; synthetic biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA / analysis
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Genetic Engineering / instrumentation
  • Genetic Engineering / methods
  • Genetic Engineering / standards*
  • Humans
  • Laboratory Proficiency Testing / organization & administration*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / standards*
  • Synthetic Biology / instrumentation
  • Synthetic Biology / methods
  • Synthetic Biology / standards*

Substances

  • DNA