Course materials

BIO 5129 Fontiers in Synthetic Biology, Fall 2026

Time: Thursdays 1510 - 1745

Location: E10-215, Yungu campus

Website: https://chenlab.org/page/teaching

Lecturer: Zibo Chen

TAs: Yuanqi Jia; Xiaoyu Wu

Office hour and location: 1 hour/week, by email appointment, E9-202

Course Description

Synthetic biology is an innovative and rapidly evolving field that merges principles from biology, engineering, physics, chemistry, and computer sciences to design and construct new biological systems or redesign existing ones for purposeful applications. This course offers a comprehensive exploration of synthetic biology, tracing its conceptual foundations and cutting-edge advancements. Beginning with an introduction to the three major schools of thought in synthetic biology, the course journeys through the molecular biology revolution of the 1970s, the development of biocircuits, and the emergence of genetic engineering tools. Students will delve into key concepts such as bistability, oscillations, stochasticity, directed evolution, and molecular programming. The course also tackles advanced concepts like kinetic proofreading, combinatorial complexity, and neural networks, while addressing real-world implications through discussions on ethics and biosafety.

The course includes a midterm presentation (Week 9) and a final presentation (Week 16) to deepen understanding and encourage critical thinking. No strict prerequisites are required, though familiarity with basic molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology is recommended. This course is ideal for students eager to explore how synthetic biology redefines life at molecular, cellular, and population scales.