Synthetic Symbiosis involves the innovative use of synthetic biology to engineer artificial symbiotic relationships between different species, particularly those that do not naturally interact. This research aims to enhance plant productivity and stress resilience by artificially introducing beneficial traits from one organism to another, thereby creating a new, cooperative interaction that can enhance growth, nutrient uptake, or resistance to environmental stresses. For instance, scientists may engineer crop roots to harbor nitrogen-fixing bacteria, mimicking natural symbiotic relationships found in legumes, to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and improve soil health. This project holds potential for revolutionary changes in agriculture and ecological restoration projects.
Contributors: Amina Diop, Chen Wei, Yuto Nakamura