Synthetic Biology

The emerging field of synthetic biology aims to re-create and enhance basic biological structures to intracellular processes via whole organisms by biotechnological approaches. The proposed book provides a comprehensive up-to-date overview on opportunities and challenges of this complex field of biotechnology that combines knowledge from various scientific disciplines. A broad range of topics including re-design of complex metabolic pathways, DNA/RNA and protein engineering and novel synthetic biomaterials will be covered. Both, “bottom up” and “top down” approaches will be discussed. Latest genome engineering tools will be presented and how those might change our way of thinking and working. The use of synthetic biology also prompts ethical questions hence a chapter will be devoted to public awareness and risk management. The book addresses scientists from both academia and industry, PhD students and PostDocs working in the field.

Prof. Dr. Anton Glieder ACIB GmbH Petersgasse 14 A-8010 Graz, Austria anton.glieder@acib.at Prof. Dr. Anton Glieder is Professor for Biotechnology at the Graz University of Technology and CSO at the Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB). Prof. Glieder’s research focuses on engineering of proteins and microbial protein producing strains for improved industrial and therapeutic use. Prof. Dr. Christian P. Kubicek Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology Gumpendorferstrase 1a A-1060 Wien, Austria ckubicek@mail.zserv.tuwien.ac.at Prof. Dr. Christian P. Kubicek retires in October 2013 from his position as full Professor for Biotechnology and Microbiology at the Vienna University of Technology. He is senior researcher at the Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB) and his work concentrates on improved carbohydrolase production by industrial filamentous fungi.