Experts tout open-platform approach to R&D

Bioengineering experts are urging the adoption of open technology platforms that will hasten the creation of genetic materials and new drugs. Looking at the speed at which researchers went from sequencing a bacteria genome to the human genome, they say that the world is on the verge of a new revolution in synthetic biology that can transform the biotech industry.

"In the next month we will announce a public agreement as a new legal framework for sharing standard biological parts," says Drew Endy, assistant professor of bioengineering at Stanford University. That kind of open platform will help inspire a new generation of biotech start-ups.

Speaking to the annual conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Jay Keasling, professor of biochemical engineering at the University of California at Berkeley, said he had used a microbe to develop a new anti-malaria therapy that could be in production in two years.

- check out the AFP report

Related Articles:
Synthetic biology attracts VC attention
Is synthetic biotechnology the next big thing?
The race is on to produce synthetic life
Synthetic biology spawns fresh approach to antibiotics