Hi ,

We have some exciting news about two fantastic speakers who will be joining us at the conference!

Wolfram & Quake Live in San Jose: The AI + Bio Tour!

The Global Synthetic Biology Conference is right around the corner, and Stephen Wolfram and Stephen Quake are the latest to join the main stage for a captivating exchange. You won't want to miss this thoughtful discussion between two intellectual giants!

This highly anticipated session will bridge computational theory, biophysics, and AI, highlighting the intersection where complex algorithms meet biological data.  You can expect a fusion of perspectives, highlighting how interdisciplinary collaboration can drive innovation and solve some of the most challenging problems in science today.

Register by Friday, February 9th, and save $200 on your conference pass using promo code AIxBIO-200.

Webinar

SynBioBeta’s Annual Synthetic Biology Investment Report  Insights Into What Could Be In Store for ‘24

Our annual synthetic biology investment report will be coming out soon. I will be joined by Mark Bunger, CTO & Cofounder·Futurity Systems, in a live webinar on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, to discuss the financial health of the synthetic biology field. Register now to be a part of this vital conversation! Mark and I will answer your questions at the end of our presentation, and we will provide a link where you can download the final version of the 2024 Synthetic Biology Financial Report.

Here’s a shout-out to some of our new 2024 SynBioBeta Conference sponsors:

• Ginkgo Bioworks is the leading horizontal platform for cell programming, providing flexible, end-to-end services that solve challenges for organizations across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to pharmaceuticals to industrial and specialty chemicals.

• Mayfield is an early-stage venture capital firm with a people-first philosophy and $3 billion under management. The Firm has a proven track record of partnering with founders starting at the inception stage to help build iconic companies that leverage innovations in IT and biology.

• bitBiome, Inc. has created bit-GEM, the world's largest microbial genome database, and is developing bit-QED, an enzyme discovery and engineering platform that contributes to multiple industries, including biomanufacturing.

• Baruch Future Ventures (BFV) is a venture capital and family office fund that works with innovators and entrepreneurs to address pain points in climate-sensitive and resource-limited markets.

• Antheia is the next-generation pharmaceutical ingredient producer transforming essential medicine supply chains to end drug shortages.

Innovation Endeavors has closed a $630M for Fund V to invest in the intersection of science and technology. Eric Schmidt, the former Google CEO, started the firm in 2010 with Dror Berman, Scott Brady, and Rick Scanlon. The venture capital firm will invest in visionaries working on climate, intelligent software, engineering health, and supply chain.

John Cumbers, George Church and Eric Schmidt (Founder of Innovation Endeavors) speaking at SynBioBeta 2019.

• Protein design meets biosecurity: In an editorial for Science, David Baker and George Church discuss how the power and accuracy of computational protein design have been increasing with the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) approaches.

Insights (Exclusive Content):

• Insights Aanika Biosciences is Accelerating the Adoption of Synbio Through Insurance: The new business model will help commercialize synthetic biology by insuring new technologies.

Industry News:

• LanzaJet Unveils World's First Ethanol to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Facility: LanzaJet, a leading sustainable fuels technology company, inaugurated the LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels facility in collaboration with government officials, industry leaders, partners, and supporters. As an aside, Kit McDonnell, Director of Communications at LanzaTech, is the Chair of the ClimateTech & Environment Track at the 2024 SynBioBeta Conference. She is helping drive essential conversations at the intersection of SynBio and environmental issues. 

• Meet the Muscle-Powered Robot with Pep in its Step: Researchers have unveiled an efficient two-legged biohybrid robot with actual muscles, designed to mimic human gait and achieve fluid movements in water, seamlessly blending biology and mechanics in a notable stride in the evolution of biohybrid robotics.

• Locus Biosciences Secures $23.9 Million to Advance Breakthrough UTI Treatment: Locus Biosciences, a pioneering biotechnology firm specializing in precision-engineered bacteriophage therapies, has received $23.9 million in funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
  

• Checkerspot Innovates Infant Nutrition with Microalgae-Based Human Milk Fat Analogue: Checkerspot, a Certified B Corporation™ specializing in renewable oils derived from microalgae fermentation, has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in infant nutrition.

Charles Dimmler, CEO of Checkerspot, speaking at SynBioBeta 2023.

Other news:

• Twist Bioscience Expands Express Genes Rapid Synthesis Service: Twist Express Genes is a new leading gene synthesis service with an order to shipping turnaround starting at five business days1, to include larger DNA preparations up to 1 milligram. You can meet Twist at SynBioBeta. (Press release)

• The combination of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen is now successfully completed creating Novonesis. The combined company brings together 10,000 people worldwide and an expertise that spans more than 30 different industries (Press release)

• Horizon Europe Event: The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking. The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a €2 billion partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) that funds projects that advance competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe.

• C16 Biosciences, makers of Palmless™, ramps up in food fueled by fresh funding. C16 Biosciences, makers of Palmless™, the platform for sustainable palm oil alternatives, is ramping up its capabilities in the food category, fueled by a $3.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as well as a $1 million investment from Elemental Excelerator. (Press release)

• Protein Evolution, Inc. and Basecamp Research Aim to Make Polyurethane and Nylon Infinitely Recyclable: The companies will develop novel enzymes that break down difficult-to-recycle plastic waste to solve a significant bottleneck in the fashion industry. (Press release)

• Scientists Will Test a Cancer-Hunting mRNA Treatment: Strand Therapeutics will lay off 18% of its staff. The company has figured out how to turn the molecule on and off in specific tissues to treat tumors more precisely. (Wired)

Who's hiring?

• Executive Assistant to Founder & CEO at SynBioBeta (Remote)

• Financial Analyst at Antheia (Menlo Park, CA)

• Senior Director, RNA Therapeutics at Ginkgo Bioworks Inc. (Boston, MA)

• Principal Associate Scientist - RNA at Ginkgo Bioworks Inc. (Boston, MA)

• Manufacturing Associate - Gene Production at Twist Bioscience (Wilsonville, OR)

• Research Associate II, Process Development at Twist Bioscience (South San Francisco, CA)