Synthetic & Systems biology researchers at UCSB are applying engineering principles and models to advance our understanding of the metabolic, genetic, and regulatory networks underpinning biology; to develop quantitative, predictive descriptions of living organisms; to create biological components and systems that do not exist in the natural world. Computational and experimental research in this area includes: Synthetic biological design, control and computing; Numerical simulation of biological systems and processes; Molecular engineering; Systems biology; -Omics analysis and discovery; bioinformatics and gene network analysis; and to implement new networks in living cells. Applications include conformation-linked sensors that support continuous, real-time molecular measurements in the living body and the development of novel metabolic pathways (i.e., that do not occur in any single organism) for the production of fine chemicals and new energy sources.
