The Potential for Convergence between Synthetic Biology and Bioelectronics

Abstract

The fields of synthetic biology, which focuses on genetic and cellular substrates, and bioelectronics, which focuses on interfacing electronics with biology, may appear to have little in common on the surface. However, we contend that there is potential for convergence between the two fields based on shared and complementary design principles from each field. We provide examples where this convergence is beginning to take place in the engineered measurement and control of cell populations, individual cells, and membrane transport. We propose that as the convergence spreads, bioelectronics will enable real-time sensing and control of synthetic biological processes through integration with conventional electronics. The increased capabilities resulting from this convergence may broaden the scope and deepen the impact of both synthetic biology and bioelectronics.

Keywords: bioelectronics; biosensing; control; gene expression; signaling; synthetic biology.