•  
  •  
 

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Keywords

basic research, quantitative synthetic biology, strategically organized research, mission-oriented innovation

Abstract

Synthetic biology is an important frontier in the life sciences, yet its further development remains constrained by limited capacity for rational design. Quantitative synthetic biology, which iteratively integrates quantitative modeling with the construction and analysis of synthetic systems, offers a promising paradigm for addressing this challenge. In this perspective, the study discusses the background and motivations underlying the emergence of this field and summarizes recent developments and exploratory efforts. Considering the unique characteristics of quantitative synthetic biology, it is suggested that progress in the field may benefit from strategically organized collaborative research that balances mission-oriented goals with investigator-driven exploration. On the translational side, possible mechanisms are further discussed for facilitating the conversion of research advances into practical applications and broader societal value. It is hoped that these considerations may provide a useful reference for fostering a sustainable research and innovation ecosystem for quantitative synthetic biology in China and for supporting the long-term development of scientific and technological capabilities.

First page

1253

Last Page

1258

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

References

[1] 张先恩. 当代基础研究范式转型的格局. 中国科技论坛, 2026, (3): 1-4.  Zhang X E. Paradigm shift in contemporary basic research. Forum on science and technology in China, 2026, (3): 1-4. (in Chinese)

[2] 赵国屏. 合成生物学：开启生命科学“会聚”研究新时代. 中国科学院院刊, 2018, 33(11): 1135-1149.  Zhao G P. Synthetic biology: Unsealing the convergence era of life science research. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2018, 33(11): 1135-1149. (in Chinese)

[3] 使命驱动的建制化基础研究——中国科学院“基础研究十条”. 中国科学院院刊, 2021, 36(12): 1388-1390.  Mission-driven institutional basic research: Ten guidelines for basic research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021, 36(12): 1388-1390. (in Chinese)

[4] 张先恩, 汪卫华, 阎锡蕴, 等. 加强基础研究夯实科技自立自强根基. 中国科学院院刊, 2023, 38(5): 755-758.  Zhang X E, Wang W H, Yan X Y, et al. Strengthen basic research and consolidate foundation for self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2023, 38(5): 755-758. (in Chinese)

[5] Zhao W J. A forum on synthetic biology: Meet the great challenges with new technology. National Science Review, 2020, 8(1): nwaa252.

[6] 张先恩. 世界生命科学格局中的中国.中国科学院院刊, 2022, 37(5): 622-635.  Zhang X E. China in global landscape of life sciences. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2022, 37(5): 622-635. (in Chinese)

[7] 赵国屏. 从“经验试错”向“理性设计”的生命科学创新逻辑演进. 生命科学, 2026, 38(2): 219-220.  Zhao G P. Evolution of innovation logic in life science: From trial-and-error empiricism to rational design. Chinese Bulletin of Life Sciences, 2026, 38(2): 219-220. (in Chinese)

[8] Luo N, Zhao G P, Liu C L. Quantitative synthetic biology. Nature Reviews Bioengineering, 2024, 2(11): 911-913.

[9] 罗楠, 赵国屏, 刘陈立. 合成生物学的科学问题. 生命科学, 2021, 33(12): 1429-1435.  Luo N, Zhao G P, Liu C L. Scientific questions for synthetic biology. Chinese Bulletin of Life Sciences, 2021, 33(12): 1429-1435. (in Chinese)

[10] 赵国屏, 刘陈立. 我国迎来定量合成生物学发展重要契机. 中国科学报, 2021-12-06(004).  Zhao G P, Liu C L. China ushered in a critical opportunity for the development of quantitative synthetic biology. China Science Daily, 2021-12-06(004). (in Chinese)

[11] 熊燕, 马雪晴, 陈大明, 等. 合成生物学赋能：从学科发展到产业转化. 中国科学院院刊, 2024, 39(5): 851-861.  Xiong Y, Ma X Q, Chen D M, et al. Synthetic biology enablement: From academic development to industrial transformation. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2024, 39(5): 851-861. (in Chinese)

[12] Zheng H, Bai Y, Jiang M L, et al. General quantitative relations linking cell growth and the cell cycle in Escherichia coli. Nature Microbiology, 2020, 5(8): 995-1001.

[13] Zheng H, Ho P Y, Jiang M L, et al. Interrogating the Escherichia coli cell cycle by cell dimension perturbations. PNAS, 2016, 113(52): 15000-15005.

[14] Liu W R, Cremer J, Li D J, et al. An evolutionarily stable strategy to colonize spatially extended habitats. Nature, 2019, 575: 664-668.

[15] Chang Z G, Guo X, Li X F, et al. Bacterial immunotherapy leveraging IL-10R hysteresis for both phagocytosis evasion and tumor immunity revitalization. Cell, 2025, 188(7): 1842-1857.e20.

[16] 林一瀚, 傅雄飞, 刘陈立, 等. 定量合成生物学：合成生物系统的理性设计之路. 合成生物学, 2025, 6(3): 493-496.  Lin Y H, Fu X F, Liu C L, et al. Quantitative synthetic biology: The path toward rational design of synthetic biological systems. Synthetic Biology Journal. 2025, 6(3): 493-496. (in Chinese)

[17] Nature. A path to high-precision biological design. (2026-05-06)[2026-05-25]. https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-026-00129-x.

[18] 潘教峰, 鲁晓, 王光辉. 科学研究模式变迁：有组织的基础研究. 中国科学院院刊, 2021, 36(12): 1395-1403.  Pan J F, Lu X, Wang G H. Transforming scientific research: Organized basic research. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021, 36(12): 1395-1403. (in Chinese)

[19] 张先恩. 中国合成生物学发展回顾与展望. 中国科学：生命科学, 2019, 49(12): 1543-1572.  Zhang X E. Synthetic biology in China: Review and prospects. Scientia Sinica (Vitae), 2019, 49(12): 1543-1572. (in Chinese)

[20] 李玉娟, 傅雄飞, 张先恩. 合成生物学发展脉络概述. 中国生物工程杂志, 2024, 44(1): 52-60.  Li Y J, Fu X F, Zhang X E. A brief overview of synthetic biology. China Biotechnology, 2024, 44(1): 52-60. (in Chinese)

[21] Dai Z J, Aoki W, Chaiyen P, et al. A framework for building a synthetic cell from the SynCell Asia Initiative. (2026-05-26)[2026-06-12]. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-026-03153-w.

Download
Request a Copy

Share

COinS