合成生物
héchéng shēngwùThe interdisciplinary field of science that applies engineering principles to the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems, or the redesign of existing natural biological systems for useful purposes.
合成生物学家正在开发能够生产生物燃料的微生物。
Synthetic biologists are developing microorganisms that can produce biofuels.
This field combines biology, engineering, and computer science to create novel biological systems with practical applications.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Field-Specific Usage
In academic and professional contexts, '合成生物' is often used interchangeably with '生物工程' (biological engineering), but it emphasizes the engineering aspect more strongly.
⚡Gold Rule
Precision in Translation
Avoid translating '合成生物' as 'artificial biology' in technical contexts, as it may imply non-natural or unethical practices.
📖Word Origin
The term '合成生物' (héchéng shēngwù) combines '合成' (héchéng, meaning 'synthetic' or 'artificial') and '生物' (shēngwù, meaning 'organism' or 'life'). It reflects the field's focus on designing and constructing new biological systems.
📝Usage Notes
While '合成生物' is often translated as 'synthetic biology,' it specifically refers to the engineering of biological systems rather than the creation of artificial life forms.