Hi ,

SynBioBeta is just 5 months away and our 2023 early bird ends next week!  We are also launching the expo floor plan in January, so if you want to choose the best spot then sign up before December 20th.  Please contact Anissa Cooke for more information.

I recently traveled to Washington State to meet with Sean McClain, founder and CEO of Absci and record the SynBioBeta podcast. We explored the critical role of generative AI in advancing drug discovery, Sean's recent experiences in Washington, D.C., Absci's innovative approaches in biotechnology, and their latest collaboration with pharma giant AstraZeneca. Please Take a listen! 

In other news, the first CRISPR medicine has been approved in the US. The one-time gene editing fix is meant to halt debilitating pain crises for sickle cell patients, who formerly could only be cured with a risky stem cell transplant.

If you've been following my interest in decentralized science, you’ll remember that I’m a fan and advisor to ValleyDAO, a community that recently launched the GROW token. It allows ValleyDAO members to source, vet, and fund synthetic biology technologies directly tackling climate and food challenges. There’s been a ton of crypto folks getting into bio and decentralized science lately and the token has been on a wild ride. You'll be able to learn more about the movement and meet the key players at the DeSci track at SynBioBeta 2024.

Insights:

• A SynBio Carol of Merriment and Science. Synthetic biology is set to shake up your Christmas dinner table and stocking fillers—so we’ve given the Twelve Days of Christmas a 21st-century twist!

• What’s the Connection Between SynBio and Neurotech, Really? Fiona Mischel sat down with Amy Kruse, General Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Satori Neuro, to better understand the synbio-neurotech connection and explore what these two fields could create. Amy is our SynBioBeta2024 Trach Chair for Neurotech and will guide the session discussions for that track. 

Industry News:

• ‘Living’ Concrete Paves the Way for More Sustainable Structures. Drexel University's "BioFiber" innovatively turns concrete fibers into living tissue with "concrete-healing" bacteria, promising longer-lasting structures and improved sustainability.

• Muscle Specific mRNA Nanoparticle Delivery Developed. University of Toronto researchers' latest study introduces a game-changing nanoparticle that minimizes off-target mRNA delivery, paving the way for more effective cancer vaccines.

• Seeing is Believing: Turning Retinal Cells into Neurons for Vision Restoration. Researchers have revolutionized vision loss treatment by transforming human Muller glia into neurons using a 'fish-like' genetic program, drawing inspiration from nature.

• Cambium Raises $19M Series A Funding Round to Build Next-Generation Defense Products With Biology: The innovations developed by Cambium extend beyond the defense sector, reaching into industries such as commercial aerospace and renewable energy.

Other news:

• Ginkgo and Synplogen will explore global business collaboration opportunities for DNA manufacturing. Synplogen’s OGAB™ DNA synthesis services have the ability to synthesize DNA of various lengths up to 100 kbp. (Press release)

• TeselaGen Announces Spin-Off, Built Biotechnologies, Aims to Advance DNA Manufacturing: Built will specialize in advanced DNA manufacturing workflows and will provide molecular biology services and products crucial for unlocking advancements in cell and gene therapies, agricultural biotechnology, phage genomics, and beyond. (Press release)

• Johnson Matthey announces partnership with Basecamp Research to accelerate the adoption of biocatalysis solutions. The partnership combines Johnson Matthey’s catalysis expertise with Basecamp’s AI-enabled biodiversity genetic mapping to meet the growing pharmaceutical and chemicals industry demand. (Press release)

• Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology plans to transform cells into tiny recording devices: The Allen Institute, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the University of Washington have launched a collaboration called the Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology to use genetically modified cells to capture a DNA-based record showing how they change over time. (GeekWire)

Regards,

John

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John Cumbers

CEO, SynBioBeta

Who's hiring?

• Strain Engineer (Postdoc or Intern) at Industrial Microbes (Alameda, CA)

• Digital Marketing Manager at Elegen (Remote)