Systems and Synthetic Biology

Can we understand the function of cellular components in the context of a dynamic living cell? How can we manipulate DNA and RNA to build new biological parts, devices, and systems that function in living cells?  How can we re-design or re-engineer organisms for practical applications? What are the minimal requirements for a particular function in vivo? This research thrust focuses on understanding and manipulating biological systems, towards addressing grand challenges in areas including medicine and green energy.