More Than Just A, T, C, and G: Screening for Hidden Dangers in DNA Sequences

Introduction

Synthetic biology has revolutionised the way modern biosciences are now done, impacting every field within the subject. By engineering organisms in predictable ways, it is possible to create novel biological solutions using genetic components from other species, and those developed in other ways, to give specific characteristics to the species of interest. Recent developments in nucleic acid synthesis allow sequences (such as DNA and RNA) to be produced ‘to order’, it is now possible to engineer a wide variety of species in ways previously not thought to be possible. Synthetic biology has become a growing field, and is frequently described as being at the inflection point computing was in the 1950s.

The advent of machine learning and artificial intelligence will accelerate this work, allowing DNA sequences to be computationally engineered ‘in silico’ and then synthesised. By automating highly repetitive and time consuming lab tasks, organisms can be engineered at a faster pace and more significantly.

With all good technologies come drawbacks. One issue frequently raised with synthetic biology is dual-use, where a technology developed for good (for example, making wheat more drought resistant) can also be applied to a malicious use (such as developing a more virulent form of flu). Bad actors could misuse the technology of today to develop more virulent versions of pathogens like smallpox, malaria, or measles, evading existing immunity, spreading more quickly, and inflicting significant economic and societal harm. Or with the technology of tomorrow, completely novel, never before seen pathogens could be developed, wreaking havoc on society.

Combating the risks of synthetic biology will be an important process in the coming years, helping to make the field safe as more people get trained in the techniques, and general understanding becomes more widespread.

One way of reducing the risk of synthetic biology is by screening nucleic acid orders, and this is what I’ll focus on here. Scientists can order synthetic nucleic acids, for example that have been engineered with computational techniques, and implement these in their engineered organisms. There are contractors that will send you DNA from a sequence you provide, or by using a piece of equipment called a ‘benchtop synthesiser’ f...

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