The Revista da Biologia is a scientific journal aimed at the communication of studies of all subjects of Biology, without any costs to the authors and readers. This journal results of an initiative of academics of different brazilian universities that wish to increase the visibility of the works developped by young scientist and undergraduate or graduate students in the different fields of Biology. We accept submissions in english (preferably) or portuguese, that present original and new discoveries in the fields of Biology, as well as revisions and essays. All publications are submitted to peer-review. The manuscript will be published immediately after the editorial process is finished. Rev. Biol., ISSN 1984-5154, DOI 10.7594/revbio For more information, access: http://www.ib.usp.br/revista/
Instituto de Biociências - Universidade de São Paulo
We ensure that our journal does not retain any copyright and that these are exclusive of the author(s) of the text. In that sense, we intend to break any restrictions to the published material and to achieve more intensely our goal of communicating science.
Genetic Markers for Advances in the Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: literature review
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM1) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of pancreatic β cells, leading to insulin deficiency and loss of glycemic control. This review analyzed sixteen articles on advances in the diagnosis and genetic predisposition to DM1, focusing on genetic markers such as HLA alleles and T cell receptors (TCR). Polymorphisms in immune response genes, such as HLA-DR3/4, and the role of autoantibodies in early detection were examined. The genetic diversity of Brazilian populations is highlighted, showing the impact of mixed ancestry on predisposition to DM1. It is concluded that genetic markers allow for more accurate diagnoses and personalized therapeutic interventions, resulting in a more efficient approach to the clinical management of the disease.
Copyright (c) 2025 Monyque Costa Herrera, Thainá Spanhol Assalin, Aline Francielle da Silva dos Santos, Patricia Ucelli Simioni https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Prevalence and detection of resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in coats of undergraduates and health professionals at the Federal University of Uberlândia
The study aimed to evaluate the contamination and resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in coats of undergraduate students and health professionals. Samples were collected from 175 lab coats. The isolates underwent phenotypic identification tests such as mannitol fermentation, catalase and coagulase. In addition to antimicrobial sensitivity tests and PCR, to detect the mecA gene. Approximately 25% of student coats were contaminated by S. aureus and 19% of health professionals. We detected three resistance phenotypes, being them MRSA, BORSA and MLSB. Some strains presented two phenotypes simultaneously. It is concluded that the coats of professionals and undergraduates are an important source of transmission of pathogens and should only be used in hospital and laboratory environments.
Copyright (c) 2024 Samantha Neves de Oliveira, Cristiane Silveira de Brito, Laura Oliveira Cesar Ferreira, Helisângela Almeida Silva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A review of anatomical adaptations in the middle ear of living aquatic Tetrapods
Tetrapods have evolved from aquatic vertebrates and have conquered and diversified in the terrestrial habitat. While most species have well adapted to inland forms, some of them have returned to the aquatic environment due to increasing competition on Earth’s surface. Studies regarding these species have been focused on hearing anatomy and auditory processes, neglecting the adaptations developed throughout evolution to compensate for pressure in the middle ear during dives. This review compiles the available information of mechanisms employed by tetrapods to prevent middle ear barotrauma underwater and how these processes have changed during evolution. The results show that throughout the evolution process, different lineages have developed distinct, and occasionally shared, mechanisms to avoid middle ear barotrauma underwater. Also, the results evince the lack of information on some Tetrapods lineages regarding middle ear evolution, from unique species, such as the Galápagos marine iguana, to marine mammals.
Copyright (c) 2024 Helena Gurjão Pinheiro do Val https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Ethnoknowledge associated with the use of medicinal plants by rural communities in Peixoto de Azevedo, Mato Grosso
Medicinal plants are important for traditional communities as they are widely used in the relief or treatment of low-complexity diseases. Furthermore, popular knowledge about medicinal plants provides a basis for further studies and discovery of new drugs that can be synthesized by the pharmaceutical industry. In this context, the present study aimed to identify the use of medicinal plants and how this knowledge is passed on to future generations in rural communities in the district of União do Norte in Peixoto de Azevedo, northern region of Mato Grosso – Brazil. This study aims to contribute to the conservation of popular traditions and, consequently, highlight the plant species used in local population. This research was carried out through an on-site visit to rural properties, to collect socioeconomic and ethnobotanical data, using the guided tour to conduct interviews with the residents of these properties. Altogether 58 species from 34 botanical families were cited in the study. The most cited plants were mint tea for the relief or cure of various symptoms. Consensus of the informants ranged from 0.66 to 0.81. Consensus of the informants ranged from 0.66 to 0.81. It was shown, in general, that the use of medicinal plants and their preparation for the treatment of low-complexity diseases is a reality in (Mentha piperita L.), boldo (Plectranthus barbatus Andr.), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf)), lemon balm (Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson)), Santa Maria herb (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.), aloe vera (Aloe vera l.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and rue (Ruta graveolens L.). Also, our study showed that tea was the most common way to use plant species to relieve or cure various symptoms. Regarding the most used parts in the preparations, the leaf was the most cited part for the preparation of the communities studied, as well as, the importance of women in this process since they corresponded to the majority of respondents (75.0%), playing an active role in ensuring that this culture remains alive in the communities and that the knowledge is passed on to future generations.
Traditional communities; Conservation; Ethnobotany; Future Generations.
Copyright (c) 2024 Roseli Lourdes Carbolim, Virginia, Rafael, Rafael, Larissa, Leandro https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Marine microorganisms: a reservoir of biotechnologically interesting hydrolases
This review aims to provide an updated narrative review about hydrolytic enzymes (agarases, amylases, cellulases, esterases, lipases, peptidases, and chitinases) isolated from the marine microbiome. These biocatalysts have unique biochemical properties, such as halotolerance, extremes of pH, temperature, and barophilicity, which make them attractive for use in several industrial sectors and stimulating future biotechnological applications. Considering the vast enzymatic repertoire of the various microbial communities living in the marine environment, it is highlighted the importance of harnessing this habitat, specifically these biocatalytic units. Consequently, with proper attention to the industrial perspective, new biocatalysts will be successfully discovered in the marine microbial communities, confirming their practical and valuable activity application to the attractive sectors and generating intellectual property.
Copyright (c) 2023 Isabelle Rodrigues Lopes, Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Marinella Silva Laport http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From Darwin's finches to fighting the pandemic: a historical and current look at the importance of Evolutionary Theory
The Theory of Evolution is currently known for giving meaning and cohesion to the different fields of Biology. This knowledge is fundamental to the main aspects of community life, exemplified now in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The emergence of a new virus, its spread, and the origin of new strains can only be understood through evolutionary concepts such as mutation, genetic variability, and natural selection. Thus, this work makes a historical review of Evolutionary Theory to show the importance of understanding evolution in dealing with the pandemic, which shows that it remains current and fundamental in the search for solutions to complex issues, further increasing the responsibility of critical teaching that allows the construction of evolutionary knowledge significantly.
Copyright (c) 2022 Felipe André Silva, Mariana Freitas Nery http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Entrepreneurship and environmental management: an analysis of the Pedagogical Projects of the courses in Biological Sciences at Minas Gerais
With the recent development of the term bioEntrepreneurship, a new and promising industry was started in areas related to Life Sciences. Associated with environmental management, entrepreneurship integrates fundamental investigation and high-value production, occupying an important space for biologists. The aim was to analyze the offer of curriculum components and/or themes related to entrepreneurship and environmental management in the Pedagogical Projects of the courses in Biological Sciences offered at Federal Universities situated in Minas Gerais. The data revealed that a majority of courses do not satisfactorily address these themes, which presents a gap in the teaching of this subjects. It is necessary to review the implementation of curriculum components, providing the contact of students with the labor market.
Copyright (c) 2023 Igor Adão Lima, Alexandre Azenha Alves de Rezende, Gabriela Lícia Santos Ferreira, Luciana Karen Calábria http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A current overview of the Metazoa phylogeny: conflicts and agreements
Metazoa is the grouping that brings together all the animals, a target that has been the subject of fervent debate for decades. The roots of understanding about their phylogenetic relationships arose through observations of morphological characteristics, which nurtured from the perspective of common ancestry became the basis for the first systematizations. New positions were proposed from the advent of molecular techniques and data, but several problems remain unresolved. In this review we present changes in the positions of some of the most conflicting groups of Metazoa. We conclude by pointing out gaps and paths to be traveled in the near future with the objective of improving the scientific understanding of the evolutionary trajectory of animals and their characters.
Copyright (c) 2021 Michaella Pereira Andrade, Flávio da Silva Ferreira, Tainá Constância de França Pinto, Stephanie Sampronha, Daubian Santos, Paula Keshia Rosa Silva, Tiago Fernandes Carrijo, Fabiana Rodrigues Costa Nunes, Otto Muller Patrão de Oliveira http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The genus Vibrio: current concepts and new perspectives
The genus Vibrio is an extremely versatile bacterial group. Its members are widely distributed in aquatic environments, the majority being harmless. However, some species are known as human and animal pathogens, causing significant impacts on public health and the economy. The study of Vibrio has been gaining more prominence, constituting the central area of research in distinct Microbiology areas. Accordingly, several studies seek to investigate their pathogenicity, antimicrobial susceptibility profile, biotechnological potentialities, as well as their interactions with environmental parameters, the latter being of remarkable importance within the framework of climate change. Thus, this work aims to provide an updated literature review regarding the genus Vibrio, highlighting its medical and environmental relevance, while also indicating potential areas for future studies.
Copyright (c) 2023 Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas, Isabelle Rodrigues Lopes, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, Marinella Silva Laport http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Dynamics of testicular maturation during the reproductive cycle of Salminus hilarii (Teleostei, Characidae) in a natural habitat.
The objective was to describe the morphophysiological changes of Salminus hilarii testis during the annual reproductive cycle. The animals were collected in the Alto Tietê River Basin between Salesópolis and Biritiba Mirim cities (SP). Macro/microscopic analyzes of the testes allowed the classification of three stages (prespermatogenic, spermatogenic and regression) and six cell types (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa, Sertoli and Leydig cells). The plasma concentration of estrogen/progestogen did not change during the reproductive cycle. However, androgens, testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone increased progressively with testicular maturation (continuous germ-to-discontinuous epithelial changes) and concomitantly with increased gonadosomatic index. These morphophysiological results suggest that the reproductive period occurs between the months of September to February.
Copyright (c) 2020 Renato Massaaki Honji
Review of Apis mellifera central nervous system anatomy: a theoretical basis for ecotoxicological studies
Bees are essential for the genetic variability maintenance of wild and cultivated plants and, consequently, for global food security. However, they are highly vulnerable to the neurotoxic action of insecticides, whose main target is the Central and Peripheral Nervous System. The search for changes in the current legislation for risk assessment and registration of pesticides has motivated several ecotoxicological studies, since the evaluations of the impacts of these products at the anatomical and cellular level are commonly used. Thus, this review aimed to compile essential information present in the literature about A. mellifera Central Nervous System anatomy, a model species and the most studied worldwide, and proposes new schemes, to facilitate a first contact of the reader with this system in order to guide further studies on the subject.
Copyright (c) 2020 Patricia Azevedo, Roberta Cornélio Ferreira Nocelli http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Historical, evolutionary and paleobiological aspects of titanosaurs
Titanosaurs represent the group with the largest number of species within sauropods and also the most diverse group of dinosaurs from the Brazilian cretaceous. The high diversity reached by titanosaurs is due to several adaptations and evolutionary strategies. On this review, it will be addressed information regarding history, evolution and also paleobiology of these animals, congregating the most recent and relevant research, aiming to provide a basis for future researches.
Julian Cristian Gonçalves da Silva Junior
Copyright (c) 2020 Julian Cristian Gonçalves Silva Junior http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Amphisbaenians are an intriguing group of fossorial reptiles, with about 200 known species distributed in South America, Caribbean, western Mexico, Florida, Africa, Iberian Peninsula, Anatolia, and Middle East. In this article, we present a general view on their biology, including their main morphological characteristics, current diversity, and the advances in the knowledge regarding their origin and evolutionary relationships, thanks to recent studies on paleontology, phylogenetic systematics, and biogeography.
Copyright (c) 2019 Henrique Costa, Paulo Garcia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
28S rRNA gap deletion in two species of Girardia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae).
Studies have shown atypical migration of the 28S rRNA molecule when exposed to heat, dissociates into two subunits (28Sα and 28Sβ), this event is due to a ‘gap deletion’ in the molecule. This rRNA degradation has been correlated to a UA-rich conserved segment. We show the atypical 28S rRNA molecule migration in Girardia tigrina and Girardia sp.. The presence of conserved motifs, 28S rRNA, was confirmed. The UA-rich segment was absent. The 5´-CGAAAGGG-3´ motif was present, indicating that the dissociation 28S rRNA is independent of the UA-rich signal. We propose the existence of a putative secondary structure for the D7a segment of the 28S rDNA molecule and suggest that the atypical RNA profile observed may occur across the Girardia genus.
Copyright (c) 2022 Bárbara Rosa Penha, Matheus Salgado de Oliveira, Karla Andressa Ruiz Lopes, Flavia Villaça Morais, Nádia Maria Rodrigues de Campos Velho http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Convergent approaches, evolutionary novelties and the origin of the turtle carapace
The origin of the turtle carapace has been for a long time an evolutionary mystery. Historically, two main hypotheses about its emergence disputed the interests of researchers: the composed origin proposed its genesis by the successive accumulation of osteoderms and their posterior fusion with the ribs and trunk vertebrae neural arches; the de novo origin, considered the carapace as a novel structure, derived from intense modification of the ribs and neural arches. In this review, I will show how recent advances on evolutionary developmental biology and new paleontological findings favored the latter hypothesis, filling the gaps about the origin and supporting the carapace as an evolutionary novelty, illustrating how integrative approaches can provide more detailed views on the evolutionary process.
Scientific illustration is a technique of five centuries, including naturalists, biologists, physicians and other scientists. Unlike art reproductions, scientific illustrations are concerned to tell a history, describing the reality, including varied perspectives and explanatory notes. The aim of this study was exemplify three types of scientific illustration techniques in Biological Sciences. For this, we used the materials/techniques: colored pencils, china ink (pointillism technique) and graphite. In total, we present here six illustrations, two for each technique, with three animals and three plants. Nowadays there are very few resources to portray the nature as scientific illustration does. Because it uses their own mechanisms to represent structures, details and notes, that in other methods are not possible.
Food Clock:Mechanisms of Circadian Food Entrainment
Circadian rhythmicity is a common feature in living beings, with the 24h light-dark cycle being the most obvious environmental synchronizer. Food availability also constitutes an environmental synchronizer for many species. In mammals, increased locomotion, wakefulness, and core temperature in the hours before a feeding opportunity characterize food entrainment, controlled by a circadian oscillator independent of the photic oscillator (suprachiasmatic nucleus). Although the circadian food entrainment is behaviorally well characterized, there is not yet an accurate identification of the physical substrate of this oscillator. In recent years, synchronization of peripheral organs and many areas of the central nervous system to feeding time has been described, suggesting a complex organization of the physical substrate for food entrainment. In this review, we present the main characteristics and properties of food entrainment. In addition, we also discuss potential physiological mechanisms that promote synchronization from the perspective of a multi-oscillatory circadian system.
Copyright (c) 2019 Breno Tercio Carneiro, Mario André Leocadio-Miguel, John Fontenele-Araujo http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Human papilomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer: the understanding of university students from the decentralized unit of Campos Sales - CE
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the third most common cancer in Brazil and the fourth type that kills most women. This work analyzed the perception of academics of the Biology, Mathematics and Letters courses on HPV and its relationship with cervical cancer. A semi structured questionnaire was applied to university students with objective questions, where they can observe their level of knowledge about HPV and its relation to cervical cancer, and the importance of the Papanicolaou Exam. The results demonstrated that the participants have an active sexual life and are not very familiar with sexually transmitted diseases and their risks, requiring the routine practice of gynecological examinations and examinations.
Copyright (c) 2020 Luciene Ferreira de Lima http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Chemical composition and evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil of Hyptidendron canum (Pohl ex Benth.) R.Harley leaves
Hyptidendron canum (Pohl ex Benth) R. Harley, commonly known as “catinga-de-bode-do-cerrado” is a species popularly used as antifungal and anti-inflammatory. Knowing that essential oils (OE) stand out for these and other bioactivities (analgesic, microbial, among others), the objective was to evaluate the content and characterize the OE of the leaves of H. canum, as well as to evaluate their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The OE was extracted by hydrodistillation and used by gas chromatography. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated under the microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Escherischia coli, Candida albicans, C. glabrata and C. krusei and an antioxidant activity by the DPPH method. The major constituents were: β-macrocarpene, γ-muurolene, (E) -cariophylene. The results showed that this OE has fungicidal activity (44.68 μg / mL) and antioxidant. Thus, this OE is a promising natural source as an antioxidant and antifungal.
Copyright (c) 2022 Júlia Assunção de Castro Oliveira, Rafaela Karin de Lima, Marcos Eduardo Guerra Sobral, Juliana Pereira Lyon, Rafael Reis de Rezende, Péricles Barreto Alves, Rafaely Nascimento Lima http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Taking sides: a case of political ideology influence in reporting neuroscience
Science as a human enterprise of search for knowledge has largely benefited not only from the development of the scientific method, but also from the practice of technical and lay reporting of its findings. In view of this, doing science in society is an activity that relates to a myriad of actors besides the scientist and in which journalists and others are included. Therefore, all these actors may leave a mark in the scientific process as a whole, according to adopted ideologies of many kinds, including political and partisan. Although the quantity and quality of such influences in science are still a matter of debate, getting to know them seems to be of undisputable importance. In this opinion paper, we present the fundamental topics about the scientific method and scientific reporting, as well as the relationships science holds with politics, with a special interest on those concerning scientific reporting to the lay public. For this, we proceed with a more thoughtful analysis of a representative case illustrating the influence of political-partisan ideology in the reporting of neuroscience findings: the electronic media coverage following the demonstration of the robotic exoskeleton during the opening of World Soccer Cup in Brazil. We conclude by revisiting discussions in the literature to put the issue into a proper perspective that may help in the important dialogue between science and journalism
We live in a time when neuroscience is fashionable. This leads many groups to seek the opportunity to co-opt neuroscience for their own interest, often doing this in questionable ways. Psychology becomes neuroscience, neuroscientists become consultants for every possible matter and the neuro- prefix is almost guaranteed to get you more sales. In the state we find ourselves, it’s hard for the public to distinguish the real advances of neuroscience from the product of interests other than informing the public in an accurate manner. In this article, this problem is discussed along with some of its causes and tentative solutions
Constructing the dependent brain: an analysis of the Brazilian media and of the scientific literature on technology addiction
Neuroscience is frequently used as an argument in various debates on mental health, such as the definition of some behaviors as pathological. To understand how this happens in the Brazilian media, we analyzed neuroscientific facts mentioned in articles about a controversial diagnosis: internet and or/video gaming addiction. Of 85 articles located in web searches of seven major press vehicles, 25% made allusions to neuroscience. The analysis of two frequently mentioned facts (the similarity between cerebral alterations observed in drug and technology addictions and the release of dopamine as a mediator of reward and addiction to video games) showed inconsistencies between media claims and the available empirical evidence. However, similar biases were already observable in the scientific literature itself, suggesting that the theory of a “dependent brain” in behavioral and chemical addictions seems to be favored by both journalists and scientists
Discussion on the disclosure of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Brazilian media
The motivation for writing this article was the existence of large number of reports with conflicting information, especially in health care. Reports like, scientists claim that red peppers are good for the heart; Cardiologists warn: pepper can be poison for those who have high blood pressure; peppers the secret of longevity, and so on. For those articles, I could not express an opinion more than scientific skepticism and lay knowledge allowed me. However, I had the idea to look for scientific reports about my professional area, transcranial magnetic stimulation, also known by the acronym TMS. It was no surprise that the reports about TMS had similar misunderstandings to those of peppers. Thus, in order to spice up the discussion about science communication, more specifically, reports of TMS in Brazil media, I selected some texts that are discussed below. I would like to emphasize that this article has not the intention to disparage the science communication media, actually I consider very important the role that they have, bringing to the lay public information that hardly would get them by the specialized magazines
Overstating the importance of scientific results as optimal strategy to increase readership
The relationship between science journalism and science is a complex relationship that has advantages and disadvantages for each of the actors involved. Often the mass media publishes scientific advances giving them more importance than they have in the scientific community, especially when it comes to advances in curing diseases. In this paper we propose one of many possible explanations for this problem, based on the model of influence Bayarri & DeGroot (1989). The main hypothesis is that the newspapers of less influence in society tend to exaggerate scientific results, while the most respected journals are more skeptical and cautious report on scientific developments
The consequences of bad science communication
Science communication seems to be the ideal instrument for communication between science and society. With high potential to attract the non-specialized public, it seeks to reduce the inherent complexity of scientific knowledge. However, there is a harmful side of scientific journalism, when it is done carelessly or in a sensationalist way. In this article we discuss the consequences of bad science communication through the presentation of facts and research data on the topic. We will discuss some emblematic examples of how the circulation of erroneous or biased scientific information can be harmful and how to minimize these problems
The binary representation of “female” and “male” brains on science and media
Research studies that investigate the differences between “female” and “male” brain implicitly try to naturalize these categories that not only have biological components but also social and cultural components. It has been shown that scientific journals and media have a tendency to report more frequently those studies that confirm the binary interpretation of sex/gender as something dimorphic, fixed, and static. Nonetheless, when evidences are considered altogether, several inconsistencies are revealed and no major differences between the sexes/genders remained. Hence, the public debate should question those categories that we assume as natural in order to avoid essentialist and deterministic positions
The impact of scientific dissemination in the perpetuation of neuromyths in education
Since the 1990s, considered the brain decade, there have been major breakthroughs in neuroscience, and information about neuroscience has been under the media spotlight, probably due to the interest from the general public on this subject. Among this information there are various neuromyths, which are misconceptions regarding scientific findings about brain functioning and behavior. These neuromyths are transmitted and perpetuated in various forums, such as in the educational field, which can use flawed concepts with potentially harmful consequences for society. In this paper we will initially present some examples of how information that is supposedly based on neuroscience findings - but that is actually not so - influences programs that aim to improve education. Our discussion will also tap on the role of science journalists, neuroscientists and educators in the development of evidence-based education, concluding that a better dialogue between these professionals is necessary
Science journalism: the importance of shaping the communication channel between scientists and the general public
No matter how useful, complex or astonishing a discovery related to the brain is, it impacts magically on public opinion. Beyond the pure understanding of the brain mechanisms are the cure of neurological and psychiatric disorders and, even more attractive, the power to understand and modify people’s behaviour. While breakthroughs have been communicated to the scientific community by traditional means, general public receive these news through the media. In this work we analyse different paradigmatic cases where wrong communicative strategies and their consequences impacted negatively on the society. Along with the presentation of those cases, we advise over the necessity of incorporating journalists to the scientific loop of discovery and communication, in order to guarantee the general public understanding of neuroscience discoveries and progress
Synthetic Biology: possibilities and challenges
Synthetic Biology, mainly because of the techniques developed, has acquired distinct attention among scientists, environmentalists, political as well as the society after the more significant accomplishment until then: creation of the first living organism controlled by a synthetic genome; i.e., the bacterium Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0. Therefore, the focus of this study was to undertake a review of the literature on synthetic biology with the aim of identifying existing possibilities and challenges. Thus, the data were collected from indexed publications in electronic databases; the data analysis revealed that there are possibilities for practical applications for industry, environment, and human health; but these possibilities will be accompanied by significant challenges.