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The promise of synthetic biology is that it may touch on every aspect of the future economy - from new drugs, body parts, fuels, and foods, to, perhaps, even entire houses. Join HAE for an exclusive event with George Church, the father of synthetic biology, as he answers questions from Harvard entrepreneurs and shares his views on the promise of synthetic biology. A professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and Founding Member of the Wyss Institute, George developed the first methods for genome sequencing in the 1980s and invented CRISPR in the 2010s. His lab has been responsible for dozens of new companies worth billions of dollars in market capitalization. He is among the most cited and respected scientists of our time.

About George Church

George M. Church, PhD ’84, is professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, a founding member of the Wyss Institute, and director of PersonalGenomes.org, the world’s only open-access information on human genomic, environmental, and trait data. Church is known for pioneering the fields of personal genomics and synthetic biology. He developed the first methods for the first genome sequence & dramatic cost reductions since then (down from $3 billion to $600), contributing to nearly all “next generation sequencing” methods and companies. His team invented CRISPR for human stem cell genome editing and other synthetic biology technologies and applications – including new ways to create organs for transplantation, gene therapies for aging reversal, and gene drives to eliminate Lyme Disease and Malaria. Church is director of IARPA & NIH BRAIN Projects and National Institutes of Health Center for Excellence in Genomic Science. He has co-authored more than 515 papers and 130 patent publications, and one book, “Regenesis”. His honors include Franklin Bower Laureate for Achievement in Science, the Time 100, and election to the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering.

Please note that registration for this event closes 1 hour prior to the start of the session.