Synthetic Biology

Scientists and other creators tell us about the developments they’re watching for and the conversations they’ll be starting.

Synthetic biologists aim to transform the world with manmade organisms. What will it take to get there?

Manufactured meat may be safer and better — but first, producers need to get rid of the icky ingredients.

No more metal: Living electrodes promise safer, better ways to fix injuries and disease and grow new links between man and machine.

He built a powerful system for launching scientific ideas into startups. Can he do it again? by Po Bronson

Protein designers are preparing for quantum computers to point the way to new cures and green materials.

Student competitors turn jellyfish, microorganisms, and even hair cells into useful things.

These startups are brewing up ways to save seafood, turn gas into protein, and make dairy alternatives less gross.

Hipster tea sludge is being transformed into a wonder material.

Stanford bioengineer Drew Endy doesn’t mind bringing dragons to life. What really scares him are humans. by David Ewing Duncan

Forget editing genes. This guy wants to write brand-new ones. by Steven Kotler

Teleported molecules, custom genomes, and other innovations that will deliver on the technology’s biggest promises.

Sophia Roosth puts big questions to the people who are reviving extinct species and building organisms from scratch.

Juan Enriquez bets on the end of undruggable targets, the power of programmable cells, and a machine that cooks up biological material. by David Ewing Duncan