Hi ,

In case you missed it, I joined Karl Schmieder and Erum Khan of Messaginglab on the Grow Everything podcast last week. We explored how biotechnology is merging with other sectors, such as space exploration, and how synthetic biology is reshaping the future. We talked about how biotech can help solve global problems, from environmental to health issues. Listen now.

Karl and Erum will be at SynBioBeta this year, and you can join them! For a limited time, save over $800 when you purchase your conference ticket for SynBioBeta 2024 using promo code AIxBIO-200 (expires on Friday, 2/9).

Sponsors / Exhibitors coming to SynBioBeta 2024:

• Asimov builds tools to program living cells. They're integrating mammalian synthetic biology with computer-aided design to advance therapeutic applications.

• MITRE is a not-for-profit corporation committed to the public interest, operating federally funded R&D centers on behalf of U.S. government sponsors.

• Elegen is powering the bioeconomy with high-accuracy DNA synthesis that delivers industry-leading speed, length, and quality.

• Genoa Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage life sciences technology companies.

• Elo Life Systems is a biotechnology company that focuses on human health and wellness through food.

You’ll also be able to meet people from these organizations that just registered: Lululemon, OpenAI, Protera, Codexis, Innovative Genomics Institute, IBioIC, SynbiCITE, Novozymes, Khosla Ventures, L’oreal Research & Innovation, AbbVie, and more.

Speakers include:

Insights (Exclusive Content):

• Spider Silk is Woven Into the Future of Sustainability: Unraveling the threads of history and technology, explore how spider silk is spinning a new era of sustainable innovation and ecological harmony.

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

On February 21, 11 am ET, John and Mark will discuss the details of the soon-to-be-released 2024 SynBioBeta Annual Investment Report and, more importantly, how you can get a copy! Register now.

Industry News:

• 21st.BIO Introduces Sustainable Approach to Industrial-Scale Dairy Protein Production: 21st.BIO, a leader in bioproduction, has unveiled its precision fermentation technology platform to food and ingredient manufacturers, facilitating the sustainable production of dairy proteins at competitive prices.

• $1.9 Million NIH Grant for Penn State to Explore the Human Microbiome-Health Connection with Machine Learning: This week, the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of General Medical Science granted a substantial 5-year, $1.9 million Maximizing Investigator’s Research Award to Jordan Bisanz. 

• Phytolon and Ginkgo Bioworks Hit Milestone in Natural Food Color Production: Phytolon, a biotech firm specializing in natural food colors through fermentation, and Ginkgo Bioworks, a leader in cell programming and biosecurity, announced the successful completion of the initial development milestone in their collaboration to produce natural food colors. Meet Ginkgo at SynBioBeta 2024.

• Gene Jockeys: Racing Towards a Cure for Heart Havoc: In a thrilling twist of science, gene therapy emerges as a knight in shining armor against the formidable foe of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

• Phage DNA Sabotage Causes Self-Destruction of Deadly Pathogens: Microbial warfare intensifies as scientists reprogram viruses to infiltrate and defeat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, offering hope in the fight against superbugs.

• AVANT BIO Takes Center Stage as Premier Equity Firm in Life Sciences, Tech Bio, and HealthTech: The firm's investment focus revolves around the intersection of groundbreaking technologies and a deeper understanding of biology, creating a potent synergy poised for significant advancements in the future.

• Opentrons® Introduces Innovative Protocol Library and AI Tools to Boost Lab Automation and Advance Scientific R&D. The company has launched a new protocol library along with generative AI tools designed to empower scientists with automated, user-friendly workflows across various fields, including genomics, proteomics, cell biology, and synthetic biology.

• Cutting-Edge Cure: CRISPR Sparks Hope for Rare Immune Disorder. Researchers from the Max Delbrück Center have unveiled a promising avenue for tackling familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

• Light Bios Firefly™ Petunia Casts Light on the Future of Horticulture. With industry titans like NFX and Ginkgo Bioworks backing, Light Bio is reshaping the horticultural landscape by introducing a new class of plants that radiate an enchanting glow, transforming homes, gardens, and public spaces.

Keith Wood, CEO of Light Bio, at SynBioBeta.

Other news:

• DOD Launches Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program to Bolster Domestic Supply Chains. (DOD)

• rBIO Completes Analytical Characterizations of R-biolin, Readies Biosimilar Insulin Drug for Clinical Trial. rBIO is a synthetic biology company that has developed a novel expression platform to produce insulin at far greater yields than current technology provides. (Press release)

• seqWell and Codexis to Unveil Engineered Transposase Enzyme for Genomics Applications: seqWell and Codexis announced the creation of an engineered high-performance transposase enzyme designed to drive superior performance in sequencing applications. (Press release)

• Synlogic Announces Publication of Preclinical and Clinical Data for SYNB1353 as a Potential Treatment for Classical Homocystinuria. The publication is entitled “The Live Biotherapeutic SYNB1353 Decreases Plasma Methionine via Directed Degradation in Animal Models and Healthy Volunteers.” (Press release)

• It's Time To Dethrone CHO When It Comes To mAb Production. CHO is an expensive, inefficient, and pervasive way to make mAbs. Emerging and evolving alternatives discussed here include microbial systems, which tend toward better efficiency - by J. Casey Lippmeier, senior vice president of innovation, Conagen. (Bioprocess online)

 J. Casey Lippmeier, senior vice president of innovation, Conagen, at SynBioBeta.

• Izote Biosciences takes in $2.6M to develop a fermentation process sans oxygen. Izote Biosciences is developing a proprietary method that enables bacteria to “breathe without oxygen” inside a bioreactor. (TechCrunch)

• Molecule Announces Nucleate Partnership and $100K DeSci Award: Sharing a mission of supporting early-stage life sciences research and development, Molecule and Nucleate are joining forces to cultivate the next generation of bioentrepreneurs. (Press release)

Paul Kohlhaas, CEO of Molecule, speaking at SynBioBeta.

• Join the Biosecurity Happy Hour, an informal event for biosecurity professionals in DC to get to know each other outside of Zoom calls and discuss new ideas in this space. (Thursday, March 7)
  

• Solar Foods and Fazer Unveil World’s First Air-Protein Chocolate Bar in Singapore: Solein, created by the Finish biotech Solar Foods, is a novel protein crafted through fermentation technology, utilizing microbes, carbon dioxide, and electricity without the need for agricultural resources, hence dubbed “air protein.” (Vegconomist)

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)