Discovering the next decade's synthetic biology research trends with ChatGPT

ChatGPT, a conversational AI (Artificial Intelligence) model developed and recently released by OpenAI (https://openai.com/), caused quite a stir. However, the debate of AI never fades [[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]], it has been pushed to a peak by ChatGPT. We hear so much from social media that AI may cause bad consequences on society, for example causing a wave of unemployment in many areas, and for research it might compromise the current transparent science if not use it properly [6]. On the other hand, people are excited about the potential changes and opportunities brought by ChatGPT, including the way of studying and research [7]. It does not matter which side you are taking, ChatGPT is already here, and likely will continue impacting the entire society. Believe or not, AI is revolutionary and reshaping our daily lives. In the general Biology research field, Synthetic Biology is considered a revolution [8,9]. Here, we are using ChatGPT to explore Synthetic Biology, and discover its research trends in the next decade. To see how cutting-edge AI can help practitioners of Synthetic Biology.

Below is the record of our correspondence with ChatGPT (Jan 30 Version). The text following ‘‘prompt:>’’ is our input; while the text following ‘‘ChatGPT:>’’ is the output from ChatGPT. We did not make any edits to the texts generated by ChatGPT, and we did not interrupt the conversation either.

prompt:> What is Synthetic Biology?

ChatGPT:> Synthetic Biology is a multidisciplinary field of science that combines the principles of biology and engineering to design, build, and modify biological systems for specific applications. It involves the creation of new biological parts, devices, and systems, as well as the re-design of existing ones, to perform specific tasks or solve biological problems. This is done by using engineering approaches to design, construct, and manipulate biological systems, such as DNA and cells. The goal of synthetic biology is to create biologically-based technologies for various applications, such as drug discovery, bioremediation, biofuels, and biotechnology.

prompt:> How is Synthetic Biology changing our daily life?

ChatGPT:>Synthetic Biology is already starting to impact many aspects of our daily lives, and its influence is likely to grow in the coming years. Here are a few ways that Synthetic Biology is changing our daily lives.

• 1.Healthcare: Synthetic Biology is being used to develop new medicines and therapies. For example, scientists are using Synthetic Biology to design and build new drugs, vaccines, and cell therapies that can treat and cure diseases.
• 2.Agriculture: Synthetic Biology is being used to improve crop yields and create crops that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and changing environmental conditions.
• 3.Energy: Synthetic Biology is being used to create new, more sustainable sources of energy. For example, scientists are using Synthetic Biology to design and build microorganisms that can produce biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, from plant material.
• 4.Environment: Synthetic Biology is being used to clean up environmental contaminants, such as oil spills, toxic waste, and heavy metals. Scientists are designing and building new microorganisms that can consume these pollutants and convert them into harmless substances.
• 5.Manufacturing: Synthetic Biology is being used to produce a wide range of products, including chemicals, enzymes, and proteins, more efficiently and sustainably.

These are just a few examples of how Synthetic Biology is changing our daily lives, and its influence is likely to grow in the coming years as scientists and engineers continue to develop new technologies and applications in this exciting field.

prompt:> As Synthetic Biology is aiming to create new life formats, like totally synthesized cell or such, these are considered non-nature organisms, how do you suggest regulating Synthetic Biology research?

ChatGPT:>The development of Synthetic Biology and the creation of non-natural organisms raise important ethical, social, and regulatory questions that need to be addressed. While Synthetic Biology has the potential to bring many benefits, it also raises concerns about potential risks, such as the release of synthetic organisms into the environment and the potential impact on ecosystems and human health. To ensure the responsible development of Synthetic Biology, it is important to have a regulatory framework in place that balances the potential benefits and risks of this technology. Some of the key elements of a regulatory framework for Synthetic Biology include.

• 1.Risk assessment: Before any new Synthetic Biology-based product or technology is developed or released into the environment, it should be thoroughly tested to assess its potential risks and benefits.
• 2.Transparency: The development and use of Synthetic Biology should be transparent, with information about research projects and products made available to the public.
• 3.Responsibility: Researchers, institutions, and companies developing Synthetic Biology-based products should be held accountable for the impact of their work, both in terms of potential benefits and risks.
• 4.International cooperation: Given the global nature of Synthetic Biology and its potential impact on ecosystems and human health, it is important to have international cooperation and coordination to ensure that regulations and standards are consistent and effective.

These are just a few examples of the elements that could be included in a regulatory framework for Synthetic Biology. It is important for governments, researchers, and other stakeholders to work together to ensure that Synthetic Biology is developed and used in a responsible and ethical manner that maximizes its benefits and minimizes its risks.

prompt:>OK, thank you for these instructive suggestions. Now please list 10 most important milestones in the history of Synthetic Biology.

ChatGPT:>Here are 10 important milestones in the history of Synthetic Biology.

• 1.1950s and 1960s: The discovery of the structure of DNA and the development of methods for manipulating DNA pave the way for Synthetic Biology.
• 2.1970s: The invention of recombinant DNA technology, which allows scientists to cut and paste DNA from one organism into another, marks a major milestone in the development of Synthetic Biology.
• 3.1990s: The completion of the Human Genome Project, which provided a wealth of genetic information, sets the stage for new advances in Synthetic Biology.
• 4.2000s: Advances in DNA synthesis, sequencing, and assembly techniques make it possible to manipulate DNA in more sophisticated ways, leading to the development of a new interdisciplinary field of Synthetic Biology.
• 5.2005: The creation of the first entirely synthetic genome, in which scientists used chemical methods to synthesize the genome of a bacteriophage, marks a major milestone in the field of Synthetic Biology.
• 6.2009: Scientists use Synthetic Biology to create a living cell with a completely synthetic genome, demonstrating the power of Synthetic Biology to create new life forms.
• 7.2012: The CRISPR/Cas9 system is discovered, which allows scientists to make precise changes to DNA in a simple and efficient manner.
• 8.2013: Scientists use Synthetic Biology to design and build a synthetic circuit in yeast cells that can detect and respond to specific chemicals, demonstrating the potential of Synthetic Biology to create new biological systems.
• 9.2014: Scientists use Synthetic Biology to create a living cell that can produce drugs and chemicals more efficiently, demonstrating the potential of Synthetic Biology to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry.
• 10.2018: Scientists use Synthetic Biology to create a living cell that can detect and respond to cancer cells, demonstrating the potential of Synthetic Biology to revolutionize the field of medicine.

These are just a few examples of the important milestones in the history of Synthetic Biology. The field is rapidly advancing, and new milestones are likely to be reached in the coming years as scientists and engineers continue to develop new technologies and applications in this exciting field.

prompt:> Among the top 10 global challenges we are facing, what Synthetic Biology can contribute?

ChatGPT:>Synthetic Biology has the potential to contribute to many of the global challenges facing the world today. Some specific ways in which Synthetic Biology can contribute include.

• 1.Climate Change: Synthetic Biology can be used to create new, sustainable energy sources, such as algae-based biofuels, and to reduce the carbon footprint of industrial processes.
• 2.Biodiversity Loss: Synthetic Biology can be used to conserve endangered species and to restore damaged ecosystems, for example by creating synthetic versions of important ecosystem functions.
• 3.Pandemics: Synthetic Biology can be used to design new vaccines and therapies for infectious diseases, and to develop new diagnostic tools for rapid disease detection.
• 4.Antimicrobial Resistance: Synthetic Biology can be used to develop new antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs, as well as to design new strategies for reducing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• 5.Food Security: Synthetic Biology can be used to develop new, more efficient crops, to improve food production, and to reduce food waste.
• 6.Water Scarcity: Synthetic Biology can be used to develop new technologies for water treatment and purification, and to improve water management in agriculture.
• 7.Human Health: Synthetic Biology can be used to develop new treatments and therapies for diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, and to create new diagnostic tools for disease detection.
• 8.Energy: Synthetic Biology can be used to create new, sustainable energy sources, such as algae-based biofuels, and to improve the efficiency of energy conversion processes.
• 9.Pollution: Synthetic Biology can be used to develop new technologies for environmental remediation, such as synthetic microbes that can clean up contaminated water or soil.
• 10.Mental Health: Synthetic Biology can be used to develop new therapies and treatments for mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

These are just a few examples of the ways in which Synthetic Biology can contribute to addressing global challenges. As the field continues to advance, new applications and solutions are likely to emerge.

prompt:> Please describe the research Trends of Synthetic Biology in the next decade.

ChatGPT:>It is difficult to predict the exact research trends in Synthetic Biology over the next decade, as the field is rapidly evolving and new breakthroughs and advancements are likely to emerge. However, some possible research trends include.

• 1.Synthetic Cells and Organs: Researchers will continue to develop synthetic cells and organs, with the goal of creating functional, biologically-based systems that can be used for a wide range of applications, including drug development, disease treatment, and bioremediation.
• 2.Gene Editing: The use of CRISPR and other genome editing technologies in Synthetic Biology is likely to continue to grow, leading to new and more precise ways of modifying the genetic material of cells and organisms.
• 3.Synthetic Microbes: Research will continue to focus on creating synthetic microbes, including bacteria and yeast, that can perform specific functions, such as producing biofuels or cleaning up pollutants.
• 4.Synthetic Ecosystems: Research will explore the development of synthetic ecosystems, in which a community of synthetic organisms are designed to perform specific functions, such as breaking down waste or producing energy.
• 5.Systems Biology: Synthetic Biology will increasingly integrate with systems biology, using computational and mathematical tools to model and understand the behavior of biological systems.
• 6.Biosensors: Researchers will continue to develop new biosensors, using Synthetic Biology to design sensors that can detect specific molecules or chemical changes in the environment.
• 7.Medical Applications: Synthetic Biology will continue to be applied to the development of new medical technologies, including therapies and treatments for diseases, as well as new diagnostic tools.
• 8.Synthetic Evolution: Research will explore the use of Synthetic Biology to evolve new species and organisms, with the goal of creating organisms that can perform specific functions or solve specific problems.
• 9.Biotechnology: Synthetic Biology will continue to play a key role in the biotechnology industry, leading to new products and processes, including biofuels, bioplastics, and other sustainable materials.

These are just a few examples of the research trends that are likely to emerge in Synthetic Biology over the next decade. The field is rapidly evolving, and new breakthroughs and advancements are likely to emerge that will shape the future of Synthetic Biology.

prompt:> Thank you for these great predications, I would like to ask you a more difficult question, what kind of breakthroughs will Synthetic Biology make in the future?

ChatGPT:>It is difficult to predict exactly what breakthroughs Synthetic Biology will make in the future, as the field is rapidly evolving and new technologies and discoveries are likely to emerge. However, some possible breakthroughs that Synthetic Biology may achieve include.

• 1.Synthetic Organs: Synthetic Biology may lead to the development of functional, biologically-based systems that can be used as synthetic organs, potentially revolutionizing the field of organ transplantation.
• 2.Cure for Genetic Diseases: Synthetic Biology may be used to cure genetic diseases by correcting mutations in the DNA of cells, potentially leading to new treatments for conditions like cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease.
• 3.Synthetic Vaccines: Synthetic Biology may lead to the development of new vaccines, using synthetic biology techniques to produce vaccines that are more effective, safer, and easier to produce than current vaccines.
• 4.Sustainable Energy Sources: Synthetic Biology may contribute to the development of new and sustainable energy sources, using engineered microbes to produce biofuels and other renewable energy sources.
• 5.Bioremediation: Synthetic Biology may lead to new and more effective ways of cleaning up pollutants, using synthetic organisms to break down toxic chemicals and other pollutants in the environment.
• 6.Precision Agriculture: Synthetic Biology may be used to improve agricultural production, using genetically engineered plants and microbes to increase crop yields and improve plant resistance to pests and disease.
• 7.Personalized Medicine: Synthetic Biology may contribute to the development of personalized medicine, using techniques like CRISPR to create individualized therapies and treatments that are tailored to the specific genetic makeup of each patient.
• 8.New Biodegradable Materials: Synthetic Biology may lead to the development of new and sustainable materials, using engineered microbes to produce biodegradable plastics and other materials that are better for the environment.

These are just a few examples of the potential breakthroughs that Synthetic Biology may achieve in the future. The field is rapidly evolving, and new technologies and discoveries are likely to emerge that will shape the future of Synthetic Biology.

prompt:> With your current capability, what you can do to push forward the field of Synthetic Biology?

ChatGPT:>As an AI language model, I don't have the ability to perform physical actions, but I can contribute to the field of Synthetic Biology in several ways.

• 1.Information and knowledge dissemination: I can provide information and knowledge on Synthetic Biology, answering questions and helping to educate people on the topic.
• 2.Facilitating communication and collaboration: I can help facilitate communication and collaboration between researchers in the field of Synthetic Biology, by providing a platform for researchers to exchange ideas and knowledge.
• 3.Identifying trends and advancements: I can analyze and keep track of advancements in the field of Synthetic Biology, helping researchers to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and identify new areas of research.
• 4.Supporting decision making: I can support decision making by synthesizing and presenting information, helping researchers and decision makers to make informed decisions about the direction of their research and development efforts.
• 5.Improving the efficiency of experimentation: I can provide support to researchers in the form of automated data analysis and simulation, helping to reduce the time and cost of experimentation and improve the accuracy and efficiency of research.

These are just a few examples of how I can contribute to the field of Synthetic Biology as an AI language model. The role of AI and other technologies in the field of Synthetic Biology is likely to grow in the coming years, and I will continue to evolve and expand my capabilities to support the research and development efforts in this field.

prompt:> Thank you. We want to close our communication with the last request: please give some advice to Ph.D. candidates who are aiming to become a Synthetic Biologist.

ChatGPT:>Here are some tips for Ph.D. candidates who are interested in pursuing a career in Synthetic Biology.

• 1.Gain a solid foundation in the basics of biology, genetics, and biochemistry. This will provide the foundation for understanding the intricacies of Synthetic Biology and how to manipulate biological systems.
• 2.Develop expertise in specific areas of Synthetic Biology. Consider focusing on a specific area of Synthetic Biology, such as metabolic engineering, gene editing, or synthetic gene circuits. This will help you to develop a deeper understanding of the field and become a leading expert in your area of focus.
• 3.Stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in Synthetic Biology. Attend conferences, read research papers, and engage in discussions with other scientists in the field to stay abreast of the latest developments and breakthroughs.
• 4.Build a network of colleagues and collaborators. Attend conferences, participate in online forums, and engage in discussions with other scientists in the field. Building a strong network will help you to stay informed of the latest developments and advancements in Synthetic Biology and will provide you with opportunities to collaborate on projects and exchange ideas.
• 5.Develop strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Synthetic Biology involves solving complex biological problems, and having strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills will be essential in helping you to make new discoveries and advancements in the field.
• 6.Learn computer programming and bioinformatics skills. Synthetic Biology involves the use of computational tools to model and analyze biological systems, and having strong computer programming and bioinformatics skills will be essential in this field.
• 7.Get hands-on experience. Consider taking on internships or working on research projects in Synthetic Biology to gain hands-on experience in the field. This will provide you with valuable hands-on experience and help you to develop practical skills that are essential in this field.
• 8.Publish your research. Publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals to establish your expertise in the field and build your reputation as a Synthetic Biology researcher.
• 9.Consider postdoctoral training. A postdoctoral fellowship can provide you with valuable training and research experience in Synthetic Biology, and help you to further develop your expertise and skills in the field.
• 10.Stay motivated and passionate about your research. Synthetic Biology can be a challenging field, but staying motivated and passionate about your research will help you to achieve your goals and make significant contributions to the field.

I hope these tips are helpful for Ph.D. candidates who are interested in pursuing a career in Synthetic Biology. Good luck on your journey!

Here, we ended our conversation with ChatGPT. It is incredible and phenomenal that ChatGPT could interact with us like a real human expert, with the same request it never gives identical outputs, but the core information will be similar. It not only could precisely summarize the existing knowledge, for example, the definition and milestones of Synthetic Biology, but also was helpful in advising and predicting with a very constructive manner, like the research trends, how to make good use of AI to facilitate our research, and the suggestions for career development. However, one can clearly see from the non-edited ChatGPT outputs that there are many repetitive sentences, moreover, some of the responses lacked professionalism and insight. We think this makes differences between AI and our human beings, so far. The above conversation is a very small and simple example that what ChatGPT could help us with, but its ability is far beyond this. We have to keep in mind that we are the user of ChatGPT, we input, and it reacts. As a result, ChatGPT may generate fake or misleading information, as its user, we have responsibility [10] to verify the accuracy of the information before sharing it. Here, we would like to suggest OpenAI enabling ChatGPT to cite the appropriate references when outputting a statement, summary, or even “human-like” conclusion, especially for research-related interactions.

Nevertheless, the current ChatGPT is gorgeous enough, do not forget that it was born on November 30, 2022 (less than 70 days when this conversation happened), and it is still learning and growing. Like any other newly born, evolutionary technology, we have to stay open and in awe, use it well, and make it to serve the great good. In this particular small case, ChatGPT helped us to understand Synthetic Biology and its trends by saving so much time and inspiring us to do more research [7].