SynBioBeta

SynBioBeta is the leading innovation network dedicated to biological engineers, investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are committed to leveraging biology for a more sustainable world. We offer our members support for both personal and professional growth, along with excellent chances for partnerships, collaboration, networking, and learning. Each year, we organize The Global Synthetic Biology Summit in San Francisco from October 1 to 3, along with Synthetic Biology Week, which highlights the latest breakthroughs in synthetic biology that are changing the ways we fuel, heal, and nourish the planet. Additionally, we create numerous opportunities to connect and engage with the brilliant individuals driving the bioeconomy forward.

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Halting Deforestation With Synthetic Biology-Produced Fats

1 month ago | synbiobeta.com | Sachin Rawat

The world has a seemingly insatiable appetite for fats. Beyond food production, tallow is used as a fuel, industrial lubricant, and raw material for various industrial chemicals. Palm oil, derived from palm trees in large monoculture plantations, has applications in food, personal care, pharma, and textiles, among other sectors. But this high demand for fats comes at a massive ecological cost.
Biology Has Evolved. Regulation Hasn’t. Here’s the Fallout

1 month ago | synbiobeta.com | Tiffany Yesavage

In the United States, synthetic biology products are overseen by a patchwork of federal agencies, often guided by outdated and difficult-to-interpret regulations. Consequently, many innovators struggle to navigate this confusing landscape. SynBioBeta recently spoke with three biotech regulation experts, gathering their insights and practical advice to help innovators steer clear of regulatory roadblocks.
A Different Biology

1 month ago | synbiobeta.com | Kevin Mayer

Fortunately, there is more than one kind of “down.” In science and engineering, the usual down involves a search for a system’s smallest and most fundamental components. But the dive for fundamental components, such as atoms and molecules, can descend past things that are fundamental in their own right, namely, the emergent properties of complex systems. Emergent properties cannot be understood—in practice or even in principle—by identifying and characterizing individual parts.
Change of Heart—Literally: Engineered Cells Flip the Script on Organ Failure - SynBioBeta

1 month ago | synbiobeta.com | Sachin Rawat

In a study published this year, the failing hearts of rhesus macaques and a human patient were reinvigorated with cells derived from them. Heart cells extracted from the patient were engineered and grown into a patch. When grafted into the patient, the patch promoted new muscle growth and improved the heart’s pumping ability. As we age, heart muscle cells thicken and lose elasticity.
From Microbes to Materials: ZymoChem's Vision for a Plastic-Free Future

1 month ago | synbiobeta.com | John Cumbers

In this episode, John Cumbers speaks with Harshal Chokhawala, co-founder and CEO of ZymoChem, about how the company is reengineering the foundations of materials science using microbial fermentation. Harshal discusses his scientific journey from organic chemistry to building a carbon-conserving biotech platform capable of producing bio-based adipic acid, a key component in nylon 66. Their recent partnership with Lululemon aims to bring sustainable, high-performance textiles to market.
Cell-Free Systems: Evolving to Fill New Application Niches

1 month ago | synbiobeta.com | Kevin Mayer

Just because a technology has a long history doesn’t mean it can’t be at the cutting edge. Consider cell-free protein synthesis.
There’s a New Generation of Probiotics Coming to a Store Near You

2 months ago | synbiobeta.com | Jenna Gallegos

We’ve been thinking about probiotics all wrong. Typical probiotic supplements attempt to “seed” the microbiome—to shift the population of bugs in our gut in a predictable, favorable direction. The problem is, that approach just doesn’t work. Fortunately, there are a handful of biotech companies who are thinking differently. Probiotics of the future will look very different. They’ll be thoughtfully selected or engineered strains clinically proven to deliver particular benefits.
Galactic Gastronomy: The Science of Producing Food Beyond Earth

2 months ago | synbiobeta.com | Sachin Rawat

In 2026, NASA’s Artemis program will send astronauts to the moon after five decades. Plans for later phases include setting up a space station orbiting the moon and a permanent base on the lunar south pole. Producing food on-site will be essential for long-term space travel. It would allow space missions to take off with far less weight, which lowers fuel usage and eliminates the need for resupply missions. However, producing food in space is incredibly difficult.
The Next Asilomar Moment: Why Genetic Innovation Needs a Regulatory Revolution - SynBioBeta

Mar 8, 2025 | synbiobeta.com

Fifty years after the Asilomar Conference, outdated biotech regulations are stalling innovation—will we get a 21st-century reset?
Decentralized Platforms Upending How Synthetic Biology is Done

Feb 25, 2025 | synbiobeta.com | Sachin Rawat

Towards the end of her four-decade academic career, public health researcher Maria Goreti Freitas was invited to author a book chapter. However, she was disappointed to realize that she wouldn't be earning royalties and would have to forfeit her intellectual rights to the work. This is a familiar scene in academic research. While inherently collaborative, science is often exploitative and involves unpaid work.