Synthetic biology is a new field of research that combines computer models of biological systems with DNA synthesis and genetic engineering techniques in order to design and build new biological functions, systems and organisms. While still in its infancy, this area of research is expected to develop rapidly, so that very soon researchers, companies and hackers will be able to design, build and release in the wild new organisms. In this talk, I will address some questions and challenges posed by this technology, and, in particular, the role that will be played by research areas such as Systems Biology, Bioinformatics and Information Systems in the design of artificial life forms.