Tech 101: Synthetic Biology - Global Competition, Strategic Stakes, and Potential Implications for National Security

The field of synthetic biology is rapidly evolving, driven by advances in AI, automation and manufacturing. This convergence has far-reaching implications, and the potential consequences of these developments extend beyond the scientific community, with significant implications for global competition and national security. Just as chip advancements and infrastructure altered computing, synthetic biology is poised to transform biomanufacturing into a driver for US leadership in production of critical materials needed for commercial and defense applications. Longer term, the development of synthetic biology into an engineering discipline that can build biological machines at scale is an area where the US requires a strategic approach that allows us to stay ahead of our competitors (and adversaries). In this talk, I will discuss the current state of synthetic biology (using examples relevant to national security and defense), the challenges of innovating in a competitive environment (including competition with China), and future directions in engineering biology (including potential breakthroughs and challenges that may arise in the coming years).