resynthesis

Resynthesis is the process of reconstructing something by synthesis again, typically to reproduce, verify, or improve the original substance, signal, or system. The term is used across multiple disciplines, each with its own methods and goals.

In chemistry and pharmacology, resynthesis refers to repeating or refining the synthesis of a compound. Chemists may resynthesize a molecule to confirm its structure, produce larger quantities for testing, explore alternative synthetic routes, or optimize yield, purity, or stereochemical control. Resynthesis is common for natural products, pharmaceuticals, and intermediates where supply or reproducibility is an issue.

In audio and music technology, resynthesis denotes methods for reconstructing a sound signal from a model or analysis, such as a spectral, additive, or formant-based representation. Resynthesis can be used for sound design, instrument modeling, transcription, and restoration, balancing fidelity to the original with computational efficiency and flexible manipulation of timbre and dynamics.

In synthetic biology and genomics, genome resynthesis involves constructing DNA sequences chemically from short fragments and assembling them into complete genomes or genetic constructs. This approach enables the testing of design principles, the creation of engineered organisms, and the study of gene function, often under careful regulatory and biosafety oversight.

Resynthesis is distinct from retrosynthesis, which is the planning stage that starts from a target and works backward to identify starting materials. Across fields, challenges include achieving accurate reconstruction, managing cost and scalability, and ensuring that the resynthesized product meets desired specifications or safety requirements.