The U.S. has been a world leader in the emerging field of engineering biology, producing more high-impact foundational and translational research – and commercial products – than any other nation. A new strategic direction for engineering biology is greatly needed, however, or the U.S. will …
Biological Containment: Safety Step on the Pathway to Bioengineering Solutions
Unaffordable healthcare. Unsustainable fuels and industrial chemicals. Environmental pollution. Lack of sufficient food supplies for a rapidly growing population. There is one thing each of these pressing, real-world problems has in common: their potential solution. Synthetic biology, a novel branch of science that enables …
East Meets West
On November 20, Breakout Labs, the philanthropic investment program from the Thiel Foundation, introduced themselves to the New York scientific community, along with their three east coast investments: Modern Meadow, Longevity Biotech, and Epibone. Modern Meadow is looking to develop meat products and cultured leather …
How Do We Work?
This is a question I am often asked when a difficult project has been transformed into seemingly impossible results. After some reflection about the projects on which I have worked, there are some fundamental aspects of how I have worked with many different teams to …
Building Things that Matter for Science and Medicine: The Anatomy of a Successful Project
First define the vision. It’s the team that counts the most — multidisciplinary, committed, creative. Partnerships matter too — public, private, philanthropic and academic. Technology is cool, complicated and constantly changing. Spaces for innovation help to ignite creativity. Scientists want to be engaged. Money must …