For one week in May, 11 agents and analysts from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation were on campus for an intensive training program spearheaded by one of the universitys preeminent biotechnologists. The goal: giving the law enforcement personnel foundational knowledge and insight into the rapidly evolving field of synthetic biology. Jean Peccoud, the Abell Endowed Chair in Synthetic Biology in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, organized the session with the FBI. Peccoud is a computational and cell biologist whose research is in the development of novel DNA molecules, and improving the manufacture of bio-based drugs and vaccines. At first glance, a relationship between synthetic biology researchers and the nations top law enforcement agency might seem incongruous. Consider, though, the rapid development of genetic engineering techniques over the last several years. The agents who visited campus were part of the FBIs Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, whose purview includes preventing and responding to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents. The WMD Directorate is working to build relationships with universities and industry partners to become educated on trends in biological research from the manufacture of living organism-based vaccines, to the synthesis of new genes in the lab, said William … Continue reading →

An interview with Julie Legault: Founder and CEO of Amino Labs Inc. As an enthusiast and synthetic biology practitioner, what attracts me most of our field is how fast is spreading and how people from different domains start to ask questions and to get interested in what we do. In the past year, Ive heard over and over the word democratization of synbio, which is the idea of making synthetic biology (and science in general) more available and understandable to the lay public. This certainly is no easy task. In fact, people wonder if it is even possible, and if it is, how do we do it? While only time will give definitive answers to these questions, today I would like to tell you the story of Julie Legault and her company Amino Labs: The company pioneering accessible bioengineering in the home and school. Originally a designer, Julie walked into the field of synthetic biology almost by accident. Julies time at MIT (she holds a Masters of Science from the MIT Media Lab) was coincident with Joi Itos growing interest in synthetic biology as the new digital, says Julie [Joi Ito is director of the MIT Media Lab and a … Continue reading →

Jonas Kantola from West Windsor is Woodstock Union High Schools valedictorian for the graduating class of 2017. In the fall, Kantola will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he hopes to study biological engineering or aerospace engineering. Kantolas passion for biology began when he was a high school freshman. I took AP biology as an independent study in my freshman year. I was able to go as in-depth as I wanted to and I really enjoyed it. I especially liked microbiology because it is the foundation of how our body operates. Proteins were also very interesting as they regulate almost all of our bodily functions, he said. Im interested in aerospace because I love the idea of exploring space. Innovative companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are pushing the possibilities of space travel, and I believe that humans will become interplanetary during this century. It would be an incredible experience to be on the forefront of such a momentous change, he said. Biology and aerospace engineering are not Kantolas only interests though. Woodstock Union High School has provided a variety of sports opportunities for him. I have been involved in soccer, Nordic skiing, alpine skiing, and lacrosse. In … Continue reading →