Growing Synthetic Biology in Brazil
Biology doesn’t necessarily work in predictable ways. That’s a lesson biologists have silently gulped for centuries. But what if the living system was made amenable to changes such that it behaves as the operator and the machine itself? By applying engineering design principles, synthetic biology seeks to achieve just that. Synthetic biology has ushered in dramatic changes that were in making for a long time. From successfully reading DNA in the 1970s (Sanger’s sequencing) to editing it (CRISPR, TALENs etc.) in the previous decade; the rapid diversification of synthetic biology tools has made grueling problems persuadable. The authors of Synthetic Aesthetics aptly point out that, “Synthetic biology is a young field with growing global momentum, enticing engineers, biologists, chemists, physicists, and computer scientists to the laboratory bench to manipulate the stuff of life.”
With the advent of engineering approaches built on genomic sequences, enzyme properties, metabolic models, lab protocols, algorithms etc., modern synthetic biology ventures have grown rapidly. Moreover, since the global pandemic, the funding environment around synthetic biology has seen enthusiastic trends especially in-therapeutics, diagnostics, sustainable food and the energy sector. Additionally, exemplary new policies of certain countries are likely to influence synthetic biology investment in other places and economic sectors.
The global synthetic biology market size is projected to reach USD 30.7 billion by 2026 from USD 9.5 billion in 2021. With such staggering growth projections, synthetic biology has been predicted to catalyze the ‘Biotechnology Revolution’ for the twenty-first century, taking on after the Information Revolution and Industrial Revolution of the past two centuries.
As synthetic biology matures, there is an increasing need for the community to build bridges with seemingly unrelated disciplines, especially as the real world applications of the technology become more pronounced. Why? Well, effects felt at the birth and emergence of a technology have historically always stirred a spectrum of response and reaction. Building and engaging communities of stakeholders becomes ever-more important to realize the true potential of synthetic biology, to posit that we have learnt our share of lessons from the past revolutions.
Megan Palmer, Executive Director of Bio Policy & Leadership Initiatives at Stanford University aptly worded- “Synthetic biology is a community, a field, and an approach.” With objectives to openly discuss all questions and concerns associated with synthetic biology, facilitate interaction, education, technology transfer, or policymaking; synthetic biology associations have been growing around the world.
In Latin America the synthetic biology market is forecast to reach US$ 2.41 Billion by 2027 (yes, in just 5 years from now). SynBio Brasil was born out of the need to familiarize the region and connect various stakeholders to synthetic biology. A youth-led ecosystem, SynBio Brasil aims to connect and empower the new generation of bioengineers in Brazil who want to use biology as a tool to make the world a better place. Luiza Zucchi Hesketh, Director of Marketing at SynBio Brasil had her eyes set on trodding into paleobiological research when she first brushed paths with synthetic biology. When a young family member introduced her to a fascinating book about bringing ancient (i.e., extinct) life back to life, authored by some of the pioneers of synthetic biology; there was no going back.
SynBio Brasil aims to promote synbio initiatives in Brazil, foster training of future synthetic biologists and connect laboratories across the country to grow the national ecosystem of synthetic biology. “To assemble everyone by offering opportunities for useful personal development that interests people from such diverse backgrounds, is a major challenge. There lies the chance to be successful or a complete disaster”, pointed Hasketh. That’s where JOGL’s helpful, according to Hasketh. “JOGL presents itself as a very inclusive and accessible platform. To stay focussed on the community’s core goals while still being open to new ideas is easier said than done. JOGL helps us handle those two very delicate propositions well.
SynBio Brazil is engaged in working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, at the national level. Connecting, diversifying, empowering and collaborating are some of the few values that drive the SynBio Brasil community members. “I think there is a real great potential [for SynBio Brasil} to make impactful change in the Brazilian society and research community. Why? Because synthetic biology has the advantage of being such an interdisciplinary branch of research. And like that, we open a lot of doors for researchers from different backgrounds to meet around a common objective”, added Hesketh. When asked what she wished people asked her about synthetic biology, Hesketh exclaimed, “I wish they asked me more about dinosaur eggs or colonizing Mars, going deeper in the oceans, genome mining in Amazônia!” SynBio Brasil is a prominent example of a regional community driving impacting positive change globally. It is led by many young and dynamic scientists and synbio enthusiasts from Latin America as they continue to grow their community this year too. Check them out at: http://synbiobr.org/
Interested in learning how YOU can grow your community and effect positive impact? JOGL’s got you– check out our Open Community Playbook here. As the name suggests, it’s open and free, and we can’t wait to support you in growing your community!
We have a plethora of fast-growing communities sharing their projects, opportunities and hopes with us every month. Find them at our next “What If” event at https://www.meetup.com/JustOneGiantLab/
