The benefits of synthetic biology

Photomicrograph of a flower ovary and ovule, artificially stained

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Why chemists need to embrace this rapidly developing field

Biology is chemistry! Biological systems are often turned to for inspiration in the search for new reactions and catalysts. Just think about the cell of a microorganism. Inside, staggeringly efficient metabolic enzymes are used to transform simple abundant starting materials into beautifully complex natural products. Chemists simply can’t compete with nature in this regard.