Dr. George Church – Professor, Harvard Medical School: One of the pioneers in the field, Church’s extensive work in synthetic biology includes developing methods for the first genome-scale sequencing and for synthesizing and editing DNA in cells. His research encompasses both the theoretical aspects and practical applications of synthetic biology.
Dr. Jay Keasling – Professor, UC Berkeley: Keasling’s work primarily focuses on the engineering of microorganisms to produce biofuels, medicines, and even cosmetic ingredients. He’s renowned for his work on producing anti-malarial drug precursors in yeast.
Dr. Christina Smolke – Professor, Stanford University: An expert in the synthesis of complex medicinal compounds, Smolke’s lab focuses on the reprogramming of biological systems for beneficial purposes, like manufacturing life-saving drugs.
Dr. Craig Venter – Founder, J. Craig Venter Institute: Venter is a trailblazer in genomic research. He’s best known for his role in sequencing the human genome and for creating the first synthetic bacterial cell.
Dr. Pamela Silver – Professor, Harvard Medical School: Silver’s work lies at the intersection of biology and engineering. Her research includes designing cells that can sense and respond to environmental pollutants or changes.
Dr. Reshma Shetty – Co-founder, Ginkgo Bioworks: Shetty is a leading entrepreneur in synthetic biology. Ginkgo Bioworks designs custom microbes for a range of applications, from pharmaceuticals to bio-based materials.
Dr. Drew Endy – Professor, Stanford University: A strong proponent of open-source biology, Endy’s work centers on the engineering of standardized biological components, or “BioBricks”, that can be used to build biological systems in living cells.
Dr. Karmella Haynes – Professor, Emory University: Haynes explores how chromatin, the complex of DNA and proteins in our cells, can be engineered to treat diseases like cancer. Her work stands out for its innovative approach to gene regulation.
Dr. James Collins – Professor, MIT: Recognized for his work on next-gen diagnostics and antibiotics, Collins’ research also delves into the construction of genetic circuits within microorganisms to create programmable cells.
Dr. Jennifer Lewis – Professor, Harvard University: Lewis is pioneering the field of bioprinting, developing methods to 3D print functional, vascularized human tissues for drug screening and, eventually, transplantation.
