Craig Venter and the JCVI (J. Craig Venter Institute)
Innovators
The synthetic microbial technology revolves around those who have the patience and strength to pursue the future. These groups are dedicated to developing this contemporary technology and thus design the world.
Ever since 1991, Craig Venter, a pioneer in the field of biology, and his team discovered Expressed Sequence Tags, a new to discover genes faster. With this newly found discovery, they opened institute called "The Institute for Genomic Research" which later lead to the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI). Later on in 1995 they have succesfully synthesized a organism called the Haemophilus influenzae. To learn more about his more recent discoveries please view the video on your left.
OPX Biotechnologies (OPXBIO)
- MIT was established on April 10, 1861 by Common of Massachusetts
- Synthetic Biology Center at MIT is created soon after the coming of the synthetic microbe
- Some of its goals:
- 1. Foundations: focuses on creating an infrastructure of synthetic biology tools and capabilities.
- 2.Systems Engineering: for engineering highly sophisticated biological systems rapidly, efficiently, and reliably.
- 3.Grand Challenge Applications: for selecting areas where synthetic biology provides unique opportunities and capabilities.
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Synthetic Biology Center of Massuchusetts Institute of Technology
- OPXBIO "good chemistry."
- Founded in 2007
- Known for using Efficiency Directed Genome Engineering (EDGE)
- EDGE Used to produce biochemicals for every day use
- One of the future products: Bio-Acrylic made by microbes
Harvard Medical School:
Systems Biology Ph.D Program
Defense Advance Research Project Agency (DARPA)
The Harvard Medical School was established in 1782 and continually adds more programs to keep up with the rapidly advancing technology of the world. One such program is the Systems Biology Ph.D Program, where students explore the deeper mysteries of synthetic biology. These students apply their knowledge of current synthetic biology technology to the everyday problems once thought of as impossible and begin collaborative research with fellow students and mentors. In this program, new theories are hatched and one day may solve some of the world's biggest quandaries of the generation.
DARPA or the Defense Advance Research Project was conceived in 1958 response to the rapidly advancing technology of Russia. The government had recognized the need of an organization capable of designing and developing high-level research projects. One such project is the formulation of the synthetic microbe. DARPA established the $30 million Living Foundries program in 2011 to attract innovators to developing what they call "...a new manufacturing capability for the United States". Over the next three years, DARPA will continue to fund those willing to help initiate the future of a microbial factory.
Codexis
The synthetic biology company, Codexis, was founded in 2002 and has since then made major advances in this field. Codexis plans on synthesizing microorganisms to create clean energy, renewable sources of chemicals required to create everyday household objects, and to create a cost-effective way to create pharmaceuticals. This company is partners with Europe's largest oil company, Shell Oil, and Brazil's sugarcane ethanol leader, Raizen Energia Participacoes. With the help of these two giants, Codexis plans to bring us closer to a cleaner future.
