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The challenges facing synthetic biology in eukaryotes

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From Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology

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Synthetic biology is maturing into a true engineering discipline for model microorganisms, but remains far from straightforward for most eukaryotes. Here, we outline the key challenges facing those trying to engineer biology across eukaryota and suggest areas of focus that will aid future progress.

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Acknowledgements

For valuable input, we thank K. Polizzi, K. Haynes, D. Mehta, M. Elowitz and all those who voiced opinions on this subject on Twitter. F.C. is supported by the Imperial College London Junior Research Fellowship Scheme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Francesca Ceroni

  2. Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Francesca Ceroni & Tom Ellis

  3. Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Tom Ellis

  4. Visiting Associate, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA

    Tom Ellis

Authors
  1. Francesca Ceroni
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  2. Tom Ellis
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Correspondence to Tom Ellis.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Ceroni, F., Ellis, T. The challenges facing synthetic biology in eukaryotes. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 19, 481–482 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-018-0013-2

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