Table 1.

Topics in standardization that are discussed in synthetic biology (based on http://bbf.openwetware.org/Standards/Technical.html and Canton et al. 2008)

Topic	Features
Standardized DNA formats	Standard cloning sites for facilitated physical assembly of parts and devices (DNA, RNA, proteins) and for DNA synthesis and construction
Data exchange standards	Information on unique ID, DNA sequence/sequence of basic building blocks, the format (specifying: prefix, suffix, scar, name, description), short/long description for humans, target chassis, experience record (e.g., works in… chassis, in the hands of…), source genebank ID if applicable, source organism, source lab/person, references (web/literature)
Standardized comprehensive datasheet of parts or devices	Summary of current knowledge of a specific part with information on mechanism and function, static performance, dynamic performance, input compatibility, reliability, part compatibility, ontology etc.
Measurement standards	Standard experimental design to determine, e.g., promoter strengths, RBS
Chassis standards	Standard strains and chassis characterization
Reporting standards	Defined vocabulary, systematic references for data mining
Coordination with other standard setting organizations	Common platform to exchange ideas, linkage between the “worlds” (biological, electronical, computer science)