Synthetic biology is a maturing scientific discipline that combines science and engineering in order to design and build novel biological functions and systems. This includes the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems (e.g., tumor-seeking microbes for cancer treatment), as well as the re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes (e.g., photosynthetic systems to produce energy). As envisioned by SynBERC, synthetic biology is perhaps best defined by some of its hallmark characteristics:

• predictable, off-the-shelf parts and devices with standard connections
• robust biological chassis (such as yeast and E. coli) that readily accept those parts and devices
• standards for assembling components into increasingly sophisticated and functional systems
• open-source availability and development of parts, devices, and chassis. 

Synthetic biology will help develop the foundational understanding and technologies to build biological components and assemble them into integrated systems to accomplish particular tasks. Synthetic biology will improve researchers' understanding of the natural world and holds great promise in producing socially valuable advances in information processing, energy production and environmental applications, chemical and materials manufacture, and human health.

Read more about synthetic biology at:
Wikipedia - synthetic biology
www.syntheticbiology.org