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A close up of a tick held in a pair of forceps, with Kevin Esvelt’s face out of focus in the background.
CRISPR Gene Drives and the Future of Evolution
Genetic engineering pioneer Kevin Esvelt’s work highlights biotechnology’s immense potential for good—but also for catastrophe.
CRISPR Gene Drives and the Future of Evolution
CRISPR Gene Drives and the Future of Evolution

Genetic engineering pioneer Kevin Esvelt’s work highlights biotechnology’s immense potential for good—but also for catastrophe.

Genetic engineering pioneer Kevin Esvelt’s work highlights biotechnology’s immense potential for good—but also for catastrophe.

synthetic biology

High magnification image highlighting small hairlike projections called cilia, which help the biobots move.
A Leap Towards Building Synthetic Organisms 
Laura Tran, PhD | Mar 12, 2024 | 6 min read
Douglas Blackiston’s frog-fueled research seeks to push the boundaries of understanding developing organisms.
A person moving the hands of a vintage clock backwards.
Synthetic Circuits Reveal the Key to Rewinding the Cellular Clock
Charlene Lancaster, PhD | Mar 12, 2024 | 4 min read
Using a circuit-based system, scientists determined the ideal transcription factor levels to promote the successful reprogramming of fibroblasts into induced pluripotent stem cells.
TSS
The Art and Science of Synthetic Biology 
The Scientist | 2 min read
Researchers get creative using bacterial bits and pieces to produce synthetic cells for studying cancer.
Bugs as Drugs to Boost Cancer Therapy
Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Jan 18, 2024 | 7 min read
Bioengineered bacteria sneak past solid tumor defenses to guide CAR T cells’ attacks.
Biosensors for Colorectal Cancer
Hannah Thomasy, PhD | Nov 1, 2023 | 4 min read
Engineered bacteria sound the alarm on a common oncogenic mutation.
Advancing Drug Discovery by Employing Synthetic Biology Tools
Advancing Drug Discovery by Employing Synthetic Biology Tools
The Scientist | 1 min read
In this webinar, learn about the origins of artificial gene circuits and how researchers currently use synthetic biology strategies to uncover new drugs. 
Glowing red DNA on bluish background
Redesigning Medicine Using Synthetic Biology
Alison Halliday, PhD, Technology Networks | Jun 21, 2023 | 5 min read
Drawing inspiration from nature, synthetic biology offers exciting opportunities to transform the future of medicine.
Artist&rsquo;s rendering of bright orange <em >E. coli&nbsp;</em>bacteria
New Synthetic E. coli Is Immune to Bacteriophage Infection
Anna Napolitano, PhD | Mar 30, 2023 | 3 min read
Self-contained synthetic E. coli resistant to viral infection could prove invaluable to the biotechnology industry by increasing product consistency and reducing safety concerns. 
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Building Bridges for Translational Research - A Special Podcast Series
The Scientist and Cytiva | 2 min read
Translational scientists discuss their experiences taking preclinical concepts to the market.
A robotic hand adding a piece of DNA to an existing DNA strand to complete the sequence.
A New Way to Control Stem Cell Fate Using Gene Circuits
Elina Kadriu | Feb 27, 2023 | 3 min read
Scientists engineered human pluripotent stem cells with synthetic gene circuits to control differentiation without human input.
Researchers engineer a protease-mediated post-translational path faster than gene switches for processes that need to happen quickly, such as insulin release.
Post-Translational Control: The Next Step in Synthetic Circuits
Deanna MacNeil, PhD | Feb 27, 2023 | 3 min read
Researchers engineer a protease-mediated post-translational path faster than gene switches for processes that need to happen quickly, such as insulin release.
Brush Up: Quorum Sensing in Bacteria and Beyond
Brush Up: Quorum Sensing in Bacteria and Beyond
Deanna MacNeil, PhD | 4 min read
Microbes communicate with quorum sensing to coordinate their behavior in response to how many neighbors they have.
illustration of T cell attached to protein
“Smarter” CAR T Cells Target Tumors with Precision
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Dec 16, 2022 | 5 min read
Two studies in mice now show that researchers can control when and where CAR T cells are active, potentially overcoming previous hurdles for CAR T–based treatments.
Lock and key illustration
Novel Yeast-Assembly Technique Yields Living Materials
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Nov 23, 2022 | 3 min read
Researchers say structures made of the cells could potentially be used to clean up uranium from oceans, heal wounds, and more.
Learn How Cutting-Edge Science is Breaking Through Industry Barriers
Focus on Innovation: Scientific Advances Driving Biopharma Market Trends
The Scientist and Tecan | 1 min read
Explore the future of biopharma research and development.
Tree with many scattered branches.
Scientists Resurrect Ancient Rubiscos to Understand Their Evolution
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Oct 14, 2022 | 5 min read
A team proposes that the addition of a small accessory subunit to the carbon-fixing enzyme was key to improving its catalytic properties and specificity to CO2.
Arthur Riggs smiles for the camera
Geneticist Arthur Riggs Dies at 82
Lisa Winter | Apr 14, 2022 | 2 min read
His research paved the way for the development of synthetic insulin to treat diabetes.
Building a Synthetic Biology Platform for Drug Delivery
Building a Synthetic Biology Platform for Drug Delivery
The Scientist | 1 min read
Kate Adamala and Niren Murthy will discuss the latest advances in drug delivery using synthetic biology approaches.
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Engineered Yeast Robots Destroy Inflammatory Molecules in an IBD Mouse Model
Roni Dengler, PhD | Aug 16, 2021 | 3 min read
Scientists added a gene circuit that senses and neutralizes proinflammatory ATP to yeast, taking another step towards precision medicine.
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