San Diego's Synthetic Genomics and Texas-based ExxonMobil celebrated the first anniversary of their strategic alliance today with the official opening of a greenhouse for growing and testing algae that could someday replace crude oil in the production of diesel and other fuels.

Government regulation is needed to oversee the fast-developing synthetic biology industry, according to two pioneers in the field, Harvard scientist George Church and genome researcher Craig Venter.

There’s a “genomic revolution” under way, argues Greg Lucier in a video from the last TedMed conference, and molecular medicine is going to create incredible advances in cancer treatment, regenerative medicine, and synthetic biology.

A world-renowned expert in microbial forensics, Keim earned the nickname “bioterrorism warrior” in the media for his involvement in identifying strains of anthrax used in terrorist attacks in 1993 and 2001. Recently named interim chair for the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, Keim finds himself the spokesperson when significant scientific findings are released.

Global Synthetic biology market is projected to exceed $4.5 billion by the year 2015. Synthetic biology is expected to provide major advances in the areas of biomedicine, biopharmaceuticals synthesis, biosecurity, energy and environment, sustainable chemical segment, and biomaterials/smart materials production.

Ten years ago, researchers created the first devices widely viewed as launching the field of synthetic biology. In the decade since, advances in genomics and the chemical synthesis of DNA, among other fields, have created new tools for investigating and understanding the behavior of biological systems.

Designer organisms created from scratch in genomics labs won't run amok anytime soon, according to scientists speaking at the first public meeting of President Obama's bioethics commission held here in the nation's capital last week.

GIA announces the release of a global market report on Synthetic Biology. Global Synthetic biology market is projected to exceed $4.5 billion by the year 2015.

Davidson College is bustling this week with educators in the fields of biology, chemistry, computer science and mathematics who are attending GCAT 2010, a first-ever workshop on the emerging field of synthetic biology. Together the faculty are learning to combine their interdisciplinary expertise and to use biological tools to solve real world problems.

Scientists are cutting and pasting genes to create engineered organisms that may yield new vaccines and biofuels, but what are the ethical implications of toying with DNA? Geneticist George Church discusses synthetic biology, and why scientists need to be careful with the technology.

Juan Enriquez, chief executive officer of Biotechonomy LLC and co-founder of Synthetic Genomics Inc., talks about advances in synthetic biology and investment strategy in the life-sciences area. Enriquez speaks with Bloomberg's Erik Schatzker at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, Colorado. (Source: Bloomberg)

Amy Gutmann, chair of the US presidential bioethics commission, discusses the challenges of bringing synthetic biology to the public arena.

Ten years after President Clinton hailed the completion of the first draft of the human genome, on June 25, 2000, these doctors-to-be are grappling with the many challenges posed by a dawning era of genomic medicine.