Background:One of the underlying assumptions of synthetic biology is that biological processes can be engineered in a controllable way.Results:Here we discuss this assumption as it relates to synthetic gene regulatory networks (GRNs).We first cover the theoretical basis of GRN control,then address three major areas in which control has been leveraged:engineering and analysis of network stability,temporal dynamics,and spatial aspects.Conclusion:These areas lay a strong foundation for further expansion of control in synthetic GRNs and pave the way for future work synthesizing these disparate concepts.