Recent advances in synthetic biology have greatly expanded the capacity to improve pathway performance and cellular phenotype. The design, use, and importation of constructed genetic control elements, optimized genes, and functional genetic circuits can be used to modulate the function metabolic pathways. The modularity and hierarchy of parts, devices, systems, and chassis provide a framework for studying and controlling the cell. Moreover, synthetic biology provides an interface at which protein engineering, directed evolution, DNA synthesis, and in silico design can direct the field of metabolic engineering.

We invite the authors to present original research articles as well as review articles that will help to define the role that synthetic biology approaches will have in microbial biotechnology and metabolic engineering. Specifically, the topics to be considered include, but are not limited to:

• Application of synthetic regulatory elements to control metabolism
• Use of DNA synthesis/construction as a tool for pathway assembly
• Creation of novel genetic control elements for fine-tuned expression
• Use of RNA-based logic circuits for cellular regulation
• Use of gene circuits to regulate cellular function
• Application of RNA or protein modifications to modulate enzyme activity
• Synthetic applications of codon optimization for improved metabolic pathways
• de novo design and synthesis of enzymes, pathways, and phenotypes
• Understanding and quantifying pathways toward obtaining insights on pathway synthesis
• Construction of integrated genetic networks with dynamic responses
• Engineering cells through alterations of regulatory and transcriptional machinery

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jbb/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: