The LEAP Insight Papers offer Fellows’ insights and reflections on synthetic biology based on their interactions during the Landscaping Workshop.

During the Landscaping Workshop, Fellows had the opportunity hear the perspectives of more than forty leaders and stakeholders working across diverse organizations involved in biotechnology. After this workshop, one Fellow noted that they had “learnt things they didn’t even know they needed to know.” To share these learnings with the broader community, Fellows were invited to author short papers that captured key insights.

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Technology Doesn’t Sound Like the Problem

Sanjana Ravi, Nicola Patron, Ted Fjällman & Karen Ingram

Though significant technological leaps are still yet to be made, the main obstacles to synthetic biology making the world a better place do not lie in the laboratory. We, as a community of emerging leaders in synbio, must listen with a collective ear, develop socially responsible practices, engage with international agencies that have a mandate to improve lives, and provide a conduit for information on how synbio can be used to addressed local and global problems.

Perspectives on US Military Synbio

Cameron Keys

The US military has tremendous leverage in many aspects of the US and global economies. What might happen if, over the next few decades, the US Department of Defense (DoD) were to develop and apply synthetic biology methods at scale for applications such as acquiring and sustaining propellants, purified water, food, lubricants, coatings, plastics, clothing, medical supplies, and technologies for waste management and environmental remediation?

UK Academic Synbio Landscape

Jon Marles-Wright & Sarah Richardson

In the face of talk of continued austerity from both sides of the political spectrum the UK science community—and the synthetic biology community in particular—we must present a strong case for investment in science and its social and economic benefits.

Synbio Infrastructure and Platforms

Camille Delebecque

Even though synthetic biology is a young field, it is already a global endeavor with research and development programs in many countries. Synbio is unique in its highly multidisciplinary nature and in that it makes it easy for people who not considered professional experts in the field to contribute scientific innovations to it nonetheless.