Partnering with biology for people and planet
News
Synthetic Biology Empowers Farmers with Cutting-Edge Crop Diagnostics
News
CSB Annual Retreat Draws Synthetic Biology Experts and Students
News
Undergraduates Celebrate Summer Synthetic Biology Research Experiences
News
Synthetic Biology Empowers Farmers with Cutting-Edge Crop Diagnostics
News
CSB Annual Retreat Draws Synthetic Biology Experts and Students
News
Undergraduates Celebrate Summer Synthetic Biology Research Experiences
Upcoming Events
September 28, 2023
4:00 - 4:00 pm
October 13, 2023
12:00 - 12:00 am
October 20, 2023
12:00 - 12:00 am
What is synthetic biology?
Synthetic biology is the fundamental science and engineering that allows us to reuse, repurpose, and reconfigure biological systems to address society’s most pressing challenges.
What is synthetic biology?
Synthetic biology is the fundamental science and engineering that allows us to reuse, repurpose, and reconfigure biological systems to address society’s most pressing challenges.
Interweaving biology, engineering, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, social sciences, humanities, and business, synthetic biology is accelerating technological innovation. Synthetic biology uses the fundamental molecules of life, including DNAs, RNAs, and proteins, as building blocks to design new systems to solve crucial global challenges in human health, sustainability, materials, and biomanufacturing. By combining concepts across disciplines, researchers can build with biology in much the same way an engineer creates a high-tech device; but instead of the program running on a computer, it does so within a biological system. Northwestern’s Center for Synthetic Biology is leading the way by supporting cutting-edge research, innovative educational programs, and impactful entrepreneurship.
Read More About UsOUR THREE PILLARS
Our Center supports three key pillars that that form the foundation of synthetic biology at Northwestern:
Research, Education, and Entrepreneurship.
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FACULTY
Our faculty collaborate across McCormick, Weinberg, and Feinberg to accelerate the progress of scientific discovery
Research
A global hub for cutting-edge research in synthetic biology
Our community represents a global hub for synthetic biology, bringing in researchers, students, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, and policymakers from around the world to help solve some of society’s most pressing challenges.
$25M
in research funding
Sponsored research funding plays a pivotal role in advancing scientific innovation
85+
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
Our publications are the cornerstone of how we disseminate knowledge, enabling the global scientific community to validate, build upon, and collectively advance synthetic biology
21
FACULTY
Our faculty collaborate across McCormick, Weinberg, and Feinberg to accelerate the progress of scientific discovery
Education & Outreach
Innovative educational programs that train the future leaders of the global bioeconomy
The Center is transforming synthetic biology education, being the home of first-of-their-kind NSF-funded education programs for undergraduate and graduate students.
200+
GRADUATE STUDENTS & POSTDOCS
Our trainees work closely with our esteemed faculty mentors learning critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of the scientific method, cultivating a strong foundation for their future careers in synthetic biology
100+
Undergraduate Researchers
Our undergraduate students actively engage in the research process through immersive opportunities that empower them to contribute meaningfully to synthetic biology
100+
Undergraduate Researchers
Our undergraduate students actively engage in the research process through immersive opportunities that empower them to contribute meaningfully to synthetic biology
Entrepreneurship
Innovation that translates research advances into real-world solutions
Since its inception, the Center has supported the founding of 7 startups in synthetic biology. Our efforts to realize synthetic biology technology continues to grow.
7
STARTUPS FOUNDED
Startups in synthetic biology play a pivotal role in driving innovation, translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world applications, and shaping the future of biotechnology