Synthetic biology combines engineering principles with a fundamental biological understanding of living systems to assemble organisms and biochemical pathways for innovative purposes. These include purposefully designed and improved proteins, microbes, plants, and animals. Synthetic biology spans many applications including medical, environmental, agricultural and industrial. It holds great potential to solve global challenges, and create social and economic benefits. Indeed, synthetic biology is predicted to enable an Australian based industry sector worth up to $30 billion per year by 2040. Many RSB research groups contribute to this synthetic biology challenge by innovating at the individual protein level to working with industry partners to redesign novel biological production workflows. 

Research Impact Cases

Harnessing molecular evolution to produce nanobodies for research partners and therapeutic strategies

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The RSB hosted Nanobody Platform delivers fit-of-purpose nanobodies for research tools and translational programs. Approximately $2.4 billion per year is spent worldwide on antibodies, demonstrating the significant demand across applications in human therapeutics, molecular diagnostics, research tools, and even as industrial catalysts. The platform leverages ANU strengths in protein biochemistry and target discovery by generating valuable reagents, facilitates the development of therapeutic antibodies and complements activities focused on small molecule discovery within the Centre for Therapeutic Discovery by offering multiple translational pathways for both ANU and external researchers. The platform harnesses the unique characteristics of the alpaca immune system and phage display approaches (Nobel Prize 2018) to create novel, selective, and renewable nanobodies for use as advanced research tools and next generation translational projects.

Learn more about the ANU Nanobody Facility & the Biomolecular Resource Facility

Learn more about the Synthetic Biology Initiative across the ANU