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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From Microbes to Materials: ZymoChem's Vision for a Plastic-Free Future

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month ago | 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

1 month ago | 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.
Towards an AI-Driven CRISPR Future

2 months ago | synbiobeta.com | Jennifer Tsang

Since the discovery of Cas9, scientists have been identifying other CRISPR enzymes in attempts to find enzymes that are better fit for purpose - those that cut more efficiently, those that are smaller and thus easier to package in gene therapy vectors, or those that have minimal off-target editing. Scientists have been optimizing CRISPR systems for years, and now, with the rise of AI in biotech, many in the field have been using AI to design the best CRISPR system.
The Future of Bioplastic Production Requires Targeted Collaboration and Coordination

2 months ago | synbiobeta.com | Michael Long

Plastic pollution is a scourge that has been found in nearly every ecosystem. Because plastic is nevertheless an essential material in modern life, from the polypropylene of medical syringes to the polyester of seat belts, the most realistic solution to plastic pollution is bioplastics: ideally, biodegradable end-products based on sustainably harvested biomaterials.
Engineering Roots for Climate-Resilient Crops

2 months ago | synbiobeta.com | Sachin Rawat

Climate change poses a severe threat to agricultural productivity globally. Unpredictable weather patterns, such as more frequent floods and droughts, disrupt crop production and growth. Ensuring sustainable and reliable food production in the future requires climate-resilient crops. Engineering plant root ecosystems is one approach that could improve crop resilience to climate change. Plants use roots to find water and nutrients, interact with soil microbes, and withstand environmental stresses.
Fabricating Nanostructures with RNA Origami

Dec 2, 2024 | synbiobeta.com | Sachin Rawat

A piece of RNA dynamically folds into a secondary structure determined by its sequence. Interactions between nucleotides mold stretches of RNA into hairpin loops, triplexes, and switches, among other forms. The predictability of the folding and the range of geometries possible with different folds are not unlike the art of origami. This idea underlies RNA origami, a technique for folding RNA into custom nanostructures.