The second decade of synthetic biology: 2010–2020
Synthetic biology is among the most hyped research topics this century, and in 2010 it entered its teenage years. But rather than these being a problematic time, we’ve seen synthetic biology blossom and deliver many new technologies and landmark achievements.
![The second decade of synthetic biology: 2010–2020 The second decade of synthetic biology: 2010–2020](http://portal-cdn.scnat.ch/asset/a9474dd9-42cc-58ef-8464-b5becfbef48b/s41467-020-19092-2_front.jpg?b=8605d8f5-043a-53e9-89ca-e809e12c4569&v=93a4c93f-993f-5868-b28f-6b691326f180_100&s=d-S47HoKIntpW4ps2Ow2AHYkZuteCMWHqtT3uWBDacX6rgkDNrS6vkvxcUjV7kYq-G05g4OyO3ooti2F-1RTuVhZRAcl0AUzHzxEgk3xNVdBTlE91DaPVVspFGx8-YLCOuprkwXH7u1YeiB2fR36_ynTJScvlJY4-qo_RwVXU9w&t=fc13185f-cc70-4eb1-86f2-ea80914407bc&sc=2)
In 2020 synthetic biology turned 20 years old. It’s first decade saw some impressive research papers, lots of visionary thinking and unprecedented excitement, but its second decade - from 2010 to 2020 - was when the hype really needed to be replaced by some real achievements. So how has it done?
Source: Meng, F., Ellis, T. The second decade of synthetic biology: 2010–2020. Nat Commun 11, 5174 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19092-2