The most widely-publicised strand of synthetic biology application involves the use of standardised parts, following a formalised design process. This has been described as ‘the engineer’s approach to biology’, distinguishing the field from more ‘biologically’ oriented activities. Some synthetic biologists are very explicit about their aim to make biology into an engineering discipline, requiring the reduction of biological complexity. An engineering approach to biology based on the principles of standardisation, decoupling and abstraction and a heavy reliance on information technologies make the field inherently interdisciplinary.

Many of the short-term uses of synthetic biology resemble existing applications of genetic engineering, through a more rapid and extensive development methodology accessible to a wider range of people. Long-term visions involve highly innovative biological systems engineered to produce a range of practical interventions: environmental applications, such as bioremediation, where microorganisms or plants could be engineered to degrade pesticides and remove pollutants; industrial applications in the area of biofuels and agricultural biotechnology; and health applications, such as the rapid development of new synthetic vaccines that could be produced in response to viruses that themselves evolve quickly.