enough to be utilized in diverse SynBio hosts such as different crops (Bowen et al.
2008). Conversely, having a repository of modules from different organisms does
not guarantee their functioning in versatile organisms; rather unexpected properties
may emerge while amalgamating modules that have been characterized in a different
context. Thus existing as well as novel modules must be adequately characterized for
predictable utility in diverse genetic backgrounds. DNA assembly system called
‘Golden Braid’ containing DNA building modules (for SynBio techniques) to be
used in different crop is being commercially sold (Sarrrion-Perdigones et al. 2013).
Engler et al. (2014) have placed ‘Golden Gate Modular Cloning (MoClo) Plant Parts
Kit’ along with a ‘Golden Gate MoClo Plant Tool Kit’ in the AddGene repository. It
contains all the promoters, untranslated sequences, reporters, antigenic tags, localization signals, selectable markers and terminators required to build new sequences
and assembly into single and multigene binary constructs that can be used to
engineer modules in many plants systems. Furthermore, SynBio involves extensive
high-performance computing (HPC) for in silico predictions of the behaviour of the
synthetic metabolic routes integrated within the native metabolic network and
recognizing forthcoming blockages by flux balance analysis [FBA] (Küken and
Nikoloski 2019). For example, assimilating sophisticated HPC to the engineering
approach can foresee the consequences of photosynthesis manipulation in crossscale models linking photosynthesis with crop field performance (Roell and
Zurbriggen 2020).
Despite the fact that SynBio is a broad domain comprising numerous diverse
fields, in this chapter we aim to provide an overview of diverse spectrum of SynBio
applications in the field of agriculture. Potential of SynBio in optimization and
re-designing of photosynthetic efficiency, generating ecologically sustainable fertilization, designing green sensors, bioremediation and stress mitigation, using photoautotrophic bio-manufacturing, increasing crop nutritional value, producing
valuable plant metabolites in microorganisms, and synthetic genomes will be
discussed one after another (Fig. 15.1).
15.2 Optimizing and Re-Designing Photosynthetic Efficiency
In the present situation, in order to circumvent further ecological strain resulting
from extensive agriculture, chemical fertilization and land clearance, it is crucial to
fulfil global food requirements by improving crop yield without expanding the
arable land. Moreover, such yield enhancement should also conjugate with efforts
to reduce the global CO 2 levels (Le Quire et al. 2009). Photosynthesis, a unique
feature of autotrophic organisms, falls far short of its biological limit (~11%
estimated theoretically) thus providing many potential objectives for SynBio
aspirants to work upon (Goold et al. 2018). Photosynthetic efficiency is characteristically influenced by three major mechanisms: a) proficiency of light (photons)
captured, b) competence of photons translation into chemical energy, and c) the
portion of chemical energy translocated to the harvestable organs, i.e. Harvest Index
(Roell and Zurbriggen 2020). Conventional plant breeding in the past few decades
15 Plant Synthetic Biology: A Paradigm Shift Targeting Stress Mitigation,. . .
439
2008). Conversely, having a repository of modules from different organisms does
not guarantee their functioning in versatile organisms; rather unexpected properties
may emerge while amalgamating modules that have been characterized in a different
context. Thus existing as well as novel modules must be adequately characterized for
predictable utility in diverse genetic backgrounds. DNA assembly system called
‘Golden Braid’ containing DNA building modules (for SynBio techniques) to be
used in different crop is being commercially sold (Sarrrion-Perdigones et al. 2013).
Engler et al. (2014) have placed ‘Golden Gate Modular Cloning (MoClo) Plant Parts
Kit’ along with a ‘Golden Gate MoClo Plant Tool Kit’ in the AddGene repository. It
contains all the promoters, untranslated sequences, reporters, antigenic tags, localization signals, selectable markers and terminators required to build new sequences
and assembly into single and multigene binary constructs that can be used to
engineer modules in many plants systems. Furthermore, SynBio involves extensive
high-performance computing (HPC) for in silico predictions of the behaviour of the
synthetic metabolic routes integrated within the native metabolic network and
recognizing forthcoming blockages by flux balance analysis [FBA] (Küken and
Nikoloski 2019). For example, assimilating sophisticated HPC to the engineering
approach can foresee the consequences of photosynthesis manipulation in crossscale models linking photosynthesis with crop field performance (Roell and
Zurbriggen 2020).
Despite the fact that SynBio is a broad domain comprising numerous diverse
fields, in this chapter we aim to provide an overview of diverse spectrum of SynBio
applications in the field of agriculture. Potential of SynBio in optimization and
re-designing of photosynthetic efficiency, generating ecologically sustainable fertilization, designing green sensors, bioremediation and stress mitigation, using photoautotrophic bio-manufacturing, increasing crop nutritional value, producing
valuable plant metabolites in microorganisms, and synthetic genomes will be
discussed one after another (Fig. 15.1).
15.2 Optimizing and Re-Designing Photosynthetic Efficiency
In the present situation, in order to circumvent further ecological strain resulting
from extensive agriculture, chemical fertilization and land clearance, it is crucial to
fulfil global food requirements by improving crop yield without expanding the
arable land. Moreover, such yield enhancement should also conjugate with efforts
to reduce the global CO 2 levels (Le Quire et al. 2009). Photosynthesis, a unique
feature of autotrophic organisms, falls far short of its biological limit (~11%
estimated theoretically) thus providing many potential objectives for SynBio
aspirants to work upon (Goold et al. 2018). Photosynthetic efficiency is characteristically influenced by three major mechanisms: a) proficiency of light (photons)
captured, b) competence of photons translation into chemical energy, and c) the
portion of chemical energy translocated to the harvestable organs, i.e. Harvest Index
(Roell and Zurbriggen 2020). Conventional plant breeding in the past few decades
15 Plant Synthetic Biology: A Paradigm Shift Targeting Stress Mitigation,. . .
439