Record sums are flowing into synthetic biology, a field that applies engineering principles to living systems, as investors bet on everything from lab-grown spider silk to yeast-derived vanilla. At a global conference in London in early April, experts gathered just weeks after researchers announced they were close to synthesizing the entire genome of baker's yeast—a milestone that demonstrates large-scale DNA manipulation is feasible.
The investment surge is striking. According to SynBioBeta, a synthetic biology network, worldwide investment in the sector hit $1.21 billion in 2016, triple the amount from 2011. The number of synthetic biology firms nearly doubled to 411 over the same period. Startups are emerging with diverse offerings, from industrial chemicals to DNA synthesis and software, such as Britain's Synthace and U.S.-based Twist Bioscience.
Venture capitalist Matt Ocko, whose past investments include Uber, Facebook, and Zynga, told Reuters that synthetic biology has reached its “epiphany” moment. “Synthetic biology companies are now becoming more like the disruptive, industrial-scale value propositions that define any technology business,” he said. “The things that sustain and accelerate this industry are today more effective, lower cost, more precise and more repeatable. That makes it easier to extract disruptive value.”
The yeast genome project is particularly significant because yeast is a eukaryote—its cells contain nuclei, similar to human cells. Scientists have approached the work as if decoding a programming language built on four chemical letters (A, C, G, T) rather than binary code. This concept resonates with tech investors seeking breakthroughs, and the falling cost of DNA analysis only adds to the appeal.
From Algae to High-Value Products
The field has shifted away from its early focus on algal biofuels. Stanford University's Drew Endy questioned the strategy of banking on bulk, low-margin products. “Why would you bank your whole platform on a bulk high-volume, low-price, low-margin product? It's baffling, not strategic,” he told Reuters. Instead, firms are targeting premium goods: Bolt Threads of California released a limited-edition $314 necktie made from yeast-derived spider silk, while Japanese competitor Spiber created a spider-silk concept parka. Gingko Bioworks of Boston is developing synthetic rose oil for French fragrance house Robertet, and Evolva of Switzerland has produced a vanilla extract free of petrochemicals.
Despite the commercial momentum, synthetic biology faces criticism. Friends of the Earth has labeled yeast-derived vanillin as “extreme genetic engineering,” and debates over de-extinction projects, such as the Tasmanian tiger and woolly mammoth, stir public concern. The core objection often mirrors anti-GMO arguments—that humans shouldn't “play God” due to unpredictable consequences. However, such arguments lack evidence and specificity, according to some observers, who call for rigorous scientific process and collaborative bioethics rather than fear-based prohibitions.
The potential benefits are vast. Synthetic biology could help remove environmental contaminants, create diagnostic devices, develop new vaccines and drugs, and produce synthetic organs or organ-on-chip technologies. It may also improve biomanufacturing efficiency and create living cell lines for pharmaceutical testing.
One real-world application is Intrexon, which has released millions of genetically modified mosquitoes in Brazil to combat Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. While critics question lab-grown meats or resurrecting extinct species, solutions to pressing health threats are harder to dismiss. Success for Intrexon could pave the way for broader acceptance of synthetic biology.
