Systems and Synthetic Biology

Recent news:

photo of cloth being dyed

Best Inventions of 2021: Huue

November 15, 2021

Congratulations BioE startup Huue and founder PhD alumna Tammy Hsu! Huue’s process for creating environmentally friendly indigo dye through synthetic biology has been named one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2021.

model of artificial metalloenzyme produced through synthetic biology

Synthetic biology moves into the realm of the unnatural

October 15, 2021

Berkeley researchers, including Professor Jay Keasling, have for the first time engineered bacteria to produce a molecule that, until now, could only be synthesized in a laboratory. This advance opens the door to production of a broader range of chemicals from yeast and bacterial fermentation.

Lygos process

Cannabis researchers seek to unlock the healing power of pot

September 8, 2021

Alumni-founded company Lygos is featured in the Wall Street Journal for their efforts to produce targeted cannabinoid compounds through synthetic biology.

The Future Looks Bright for Infinitely Recyclable Plastic

April 23, 2021

The scientists at Berkeley Lab who have pioneered the infinitely-recyclable plastic, PDK, are collaborating with Professor Jay Keasling to design a process for producing PDK polymers using precursor ingredients made through synthetic biology instead of industrial chemicals, for an eco-friendly full lifecycle product.

artist image of a tailocin

Arkin lab harnesses incredible bacterial ‘Homing Missiles’

April 7, 2021

Adam Arkin’s lab is leading research to harness tailocins – protein machines made by bacteria that are able to target and attack very specific strains of bacteria. They hope to understand and use these natural spring-powered microneedles to study the microbiome, and eventually to attack and treat harmful infections.

Head and shoulders photo of Keasling

Jay Keasling

October 22, 2016
Streets

Aaron Streets

October 22, 2016
Head and shoulders photo of Mofrad

Mohammad Reza Kaazempur Mofrad

October 22, 2016
Lareau

Liana Lareau

October 22, 2016