Shaping the Future of Synthetic Biology

Hunter Brown (MBP '21) is a program manager at BioMADE, which is focused on expanding biologically produced commodities, from chemicals and textiles to energy and food.

The bioindustrial manufacturing workforce will need more than 1.1 million new workers this decade, according to BioMADE, a nonprofit, public-private partnership. The company works closely with universities and industry representatives to ensure schools are training students to meet the rapidly growing need.

That's how Brown recently found himself at Northwestern Engineering's Master of Biotechnology Program (MBP), meeting students ready and able to lead biotechnology's future.

"Imagine the reshoring of well-paying, advanced manufacturing jobs, distributed across America’s abundant agricultural regions, in support of biobased alternatives to traditional supply chains, making them more sustainable and resilient," Brown said. "This field has a lot of promise, and the vision of a fully realized domestic bioeconomy is really exciting."

Brown returned to campus for the Central US Synthetic Biology Workshop, hosted by Northwestern's Center for Synthetic Biology (CSB). The event brought together a varied group of scientists, researchers, and industry professionals from across the Midwest. It represented a significant shift in the synthetic biology landscape, traditionally dominated by coastal hubs.

“It’s really exciting to get to share early-stage research findings across our Central corridor of the US in a way that is often done in informal settings on the two coasts,” said Danielle Tullman-Ercek, MBP director and co-director of the CSB. “There’s a really vibrant and growing group in this part of the country doing some amazing work.”

Bradley Biggs (MBP '14) is a member of that group.

Biggs recently joined the University of Michigan's Department of Chemical Engineering as an assistant professor. His research interest is improving biochemical syntheses by using microbial systems.

He also attended the Central US Synthetic Biology Workshop.

"The SynBio workshop is a unique and enjoyable environment and matches the tone of what the folks at Northwestern, who helped spearhead the workshop, created at the Center for Synthetic Biology," Biggs said. "Because of the friendly and collaborative culture, it is a great opportunity for early stage scientists to share their work. In addition, because of the regional focus, it is a great opportunity to form new collaborations with folks who are nearby."

Unsurprisingly, AI and machine learning were key topics. Attendees heard how universities are updating technology policies and openly discussed the importance of understanding how AI platforms and models use data.

It was a valuable discussion, Biggs said.

"The workshop gave me a good space to rethink my own use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and also how I would communicate that use and its risks and rewards to a lay audience," said Biggs, who earned his PhD in chemical engineering from Northwestern in 2021. "It was a good opportunity to reevaluate what guardrails I would advocate for."

Both Biggs and Brown enjoyed the opportunity to return to campus — and to see how MBP is shaping the future of biotechnology.

"It was a great experience reconnecting with old friends and colleagues," Brown said. "I particularly enjoyed catching up with former lab mates and seeing how they are now leading their own research programs across the country."