Hi ,

I was at the San Jose Convention Center last week and took this selfie. I can't wait to see you all there in May. This is the biggest Expo Hall we've ever been in, and I can't wait to fill it!

Experience the forefront of innovation at SynBioBeta 2024, featuring exciting new tracks like Psychedelics, Longevity, Biodesign, and Biosecurity/Bioethics. Secure your spot by midnight on November 27th and enjoy a $150 discount with our exclusive Black Friday special using code SBB24BFS.

New Speakers and Track Chairs Announced

Insights:

• How AI Is Transforming Synthetic Biology: Reaching Far Beyond Biopharma. Discover how synthetic biology is getting a high-tech upgrade with AI, potentially revolutionizing enzyme design, animal-free protein expression, precision fermentation, and beyond.

• It’s Alive! Yeast Strain Thrives With Over 50% Synthetic Genome. Researchers have achieved a significant milestone in synthetic biology by integrating more than seven synthetic chromosomes into a single yeast cell, yielding a strain with over 50% synthetic DNA that can survive and replicate similarly to wild yeast strains.

• Is DNA Data Storage Ready for Data Centers? Researchers and startups are tackling bottlenecks in scalable DNA data storage.

Industry News:

• CRISPR-Based Therapy Receives Regulatory Green Light in the UK: This authorization signifies a pivotal moment in the realm of science and medicine, marking the inaugural regulatory approval of CRISPR-based therapeutics globally.

• Saliva Substitute Offers Extended Dry Mouth Relief: University of Leeds scientists develop a novel saliva substitute, outperforming commercial products by providing longer-lasting relief for dry mouth conditions.

• Achieving ‘Mind Control’ With Memory-Boosting Molecular Switches: At Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), quantum biology, artificial intelligence, and bioengineering have collided to redefine the landscape of CRISPR Cas9 genome editing tools.

• Robo-Revolution: UCSB Harnesses $9.85M Grant to Automate Synthetic Biology Research: A U.S. Army grant is set to revolutionize UC Santa Barbara's Bioengineering Department with the UCSB BioFoundry, introducing advanced robotic systems for boundless biomedical and environmental research opportunities

• Quantum Biology Meets AI to Give CRISPR a Microbial Makeover: In a collaboration between the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the Catholic University, Rome, and the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, neuroscientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in understanding and manipulating memory-related processes in the brain.

Other news:

• Almirall and Absci announce AI drug discovery partnership to rapidly develop novel dermatological disease treatments. (Press release)

• State of Global Fermentation Report: A first-of-its-kind report that sheds light on the existing fermentation capacity network, bioproduct profitability drivers and margins, and the gaps needed to ensure biomanufacturing success over the long term. (Capacitor.bio)

• YC’s Health & Bio Summit is coming to SF in December — apply now to attend. If you’re in the early stages of building a health or bio startup and want to meet others doing the same, join the YC Health & Bio Summit in San Francisco on December 6, 2023. (Ycombinator.com)

• DNA writing technologies moving toward synthetic genomes: As new technologies hit the market, synthetic DNA is available faster and cheaper than ever before. Regulators are preparing to step in to limit opportunities for misuse. (Nature News)

• A review marks a huge step forward for UK spinout founders: Nathan Benaich reflects on why this is a big day for the ecosystem and UK science & tech. (Twitter.com)

• MycoWorks expands to address the soaring need for high-end leather alternatives: South Carolina Ribbon-Cutting Marks the Start of Industrial-Scale Production of Fine Mycelium (DCVC)

• UK first to approve CRISPR treatment for diseases: what you need to know. The landmark decision could transform the treatment of sickle-cell disease and β-thalassaemia—but the technology is expensive. (Nature News)

• New Generative AI Model Designs Proteins Not Found in Nature: The work comes from Generate Biomedicines, a company based in Somerville, MA, which works at the intersection of machine learning, biological engineering, and medicine with an emphasis on protein design. (GEN)

Regards,

John

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John Cumbers

CEO, SynBioBeta

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