{"event":"synthetic-biology-tracker","title":"Synthetic biology tracker: milestones and policy","state":"developing","updated":"2026-10-10T00:00:00.000Z","entries":[{"id":"vgqi8s","at":"2026-10-10T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Replacement screening framework still not published","status":"confirmed","body":"US government pages continue to say they will be updated once the revised framework is available.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-framework-revision-pending","n":4,"url":"https://www.aspr.gov/s3/synthetic-nucleic-acid-screening","publisher":"HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response","short":"HHS Administration…"}]},{"id":"d78mpr","at":"2026-10-06T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Shotgun engineering screens millions of mammalian pathway combinations","status":"confirmed","body":"Nature Biotechnology published the method, which delivers many barcoded small constructs instead of one large one and reads out working pathways by sequencing barcodes.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-sge-nature-biotech-2026","n":19,"url":"https://api.crossref.org/works/10.1038/s41587-026-03318-7","publisher":"Crossref (metadata for Nature Biotechnology)","short":"Crossref"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-sge-method","n":20,"url":"https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/webservices/rest/search?query=%22Highly%20multiplexed%20mammalian%20metabolic%20engineering%22&resultType=core&format=json","publisher":"Europe PMC (bioRxiv preprint record)","short":"Europe PMC"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-sge-results","n":21,"url":"https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/webservices/rest/search?query=%22Highly%20multiplexed%20mammalian%20metabolic%20engineering%22&resultType=core&format=json","publisher":"Europe PMC (bioRxiv preprint record)","short":"Europe PMC"}]},{"id":"1qv10ne","at":"2026-08-18T00:00:00.000Z","title":"A DNA synthesis provider validates AI-designed proteins","status":"reported","body":"Twist Bioscience disclosed in an SEC filing that Anthropic had used it as one of two independent evaluators; the hit rates are the model developer's own figures.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-twist-anthropic-evaluator","n":22,"url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1581280/000158128026000050/twist-20260818.htm","publisher":"Twist Bioscience (SEC filing)","short":"Twist Bioscience"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-ai-protein-hit-rates","n":23,"url":"https://www.anthropic.com/research/Claude-accelerates-protein-design","publisher":"Anthropic","short":"Anthropic"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-ai-protein-compute","n":24,"url":"https://www.anthropic.com/research/Claude-accelerates-protein-design","publisher":"Anthropic","short":"Anthropic"}]},{"id":"1lnhvp4","at":"2026-08-05T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Record quarter for synthetic DNA, weak quarter for cell engineering services","status":"confirmed","body":"Twist Bioscience reported $118.4 million and about 369,000 genes shipped; Ginkgo Bioworks reported $20.2 million with government and defence at 45% of revenue.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-twist-q3-fy26-revenue","n":9,"url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001581280/000158128026000044/twst-2026630xex991.htm","publisher":"Twist Bioscience (SEC filing, exhibit 99.1)","short":"Twist Bioscience"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-twist-genes-shipped","n":25,"url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001581280/000158128026000044/twst-2026630xex991.htm","publisher":"Twist Bioscience (SEC filing, exhibit 99.1)","short":"Twist Bioscience"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-ginkgo-q2-2026-results","n":10,"url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001830214/000162828026054298/dna-20260630.htm","publisher":"Ginkgo Bioworks (SEC filing)","short":"Ginkgo Bioworks"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-ginkgo-government-share","n":11,"url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001830214/000162828026054298/dna-20260630.htm","publisher":"Ginkgo Bioworks (SEC filing)","short":"Ginkgo Bioworks"}]},{"id":"10sjtql","at":"2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z","title":"ARPA-H funds cell-free DNA bioproduction","status":"confirmed","body":"Up to $26 million to DNA Script and GE HealthCare for faster, distributed DNA manufacturing.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-dnascript-arpah-2026","n":18,"url":"https://www.dnascript.com/press-releases/dna-script-and-leading-healthcare-solutions-provider-awarded-up-to-26m-by-arpa-h-to-advance-cell-free-dna-bioproduction/","publisher":"DNA Script","short":"DNA Script"}]},{"id":"1pxu9ii","at":"2026-05-11T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Reporting details the US bioindustrial pilot plant build-out","status":"reported","body":"Three plants, with Hayward opening first; BioMADE's own releases give the site sizes, tank volumes and target dates.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-us-fermentation-capacity-gap","n":8,"url":"https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2026/05/11/precision-fermentation-us-to-open-pilot-plants-as-issue-of-national-security/","publisher":"FoodNavigator","short":"FoodNavigator"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-biomade-hayward","n":5,"url":"https://www.biomade.org/news/biomade-and-lygos-to-fast-track-pilot-biomanufacturing-facility-in-california","publisher":"BioMADE","short":"BioMADE"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-biomade-dod-funding","n":47,"url":"https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2026/05/11/precision-fermentation-us-to-open-pilot-plants-as-issue-of-national-security/","publisher":"FoodNavigator","short":"FoodNavigator"}]},{"id":"1mbnu97","at":"2026-04-30T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Ginkgo Bioworks divests its biosecurity business","status":"confirmed","body":"Dated to April 2026 in the company's filing; it now reports a single segment covering biological research services and tools.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-ginkgo-biosecurity-divestiture","n":44,"url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001830214/000162828026054298/dna-20260630.htm","publisher":"Ginkgo Bioworks (SEC filing)","short":"Ginkgo Bioworks"}]},{"id":"17mb352","at":"2026-04-29T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Defence and NSF fund 14 bioengineering research projects","status":"confirmed","body":"BioMADE put the shared investment at over $21 million across 23 member organisations; press reporting gave $21.4 million across 14 projects.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-biomade-projects-2026-primary","n":45,"url":"https://www.biomade.org/news/biomade-announces-214-million-invested-in-14-projects","publisher":"BioMADE","short":"BioMADE"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-dod-nsf-bioengineering-2026","n":46,"url":"https://www.biomade.org/news/biomade-announces-214-million-invested-in-14-projects","publisher":"BioMADE","short":"BioMADE"}]},{"id":"1x1ekju","at":"2026-03-17T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Benchtop DNA synthesis distribution widens","status":"confirmed","body":"DNA Script added distributors in Latin America and East Asia, and in July 2026 in India.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-dnascript-distribution-2026","n":43,"url":"https://www.dnascript.com/press-releases/dna-script-expands-global-access-to-on-demand-dna-synthesis-with-distributor-agreements-in-latin-america-and-east-asia/","publisher":"DNA Script","short":"DNA Script"}]},{"id":"67buyg","at":"2026-01-14T00:00:00.000Z","title":"High-throughput mapping brings machine learning to circuit design","status":"confirmed","body":"The CLASSIC method measured very large design libraries in human cells; models then predicted untested variants, with 40 of 40 hand-checked designs matching.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-classic-nature-2026","n":2,"url":"https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/scientists-demonstrate-first-time-use-ai-genetic-circuit-design","publisher":"Rice University News","short":"Rice University News"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-classic-ml","n":7,"url":"https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/scientists-demonstrate-first-time-use-ai-genetic-circuit-design","publisher":"Rice University News","short":"Rice University News"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-classic-design-lessons","n":17,"url":"https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/scientists-demonstrate-first-time-use-ai-genetic-circuit-design","publisher":"Rice University News","short":"Rice University News"}]},{"id":"1pkhpyz","at":"2025-12-31T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Ginkgo Bioworks restructuring substantially concluded","status":"confirmed","body":"Workforce reductions of more than 50% finished, with facility consolidation continuing through 2026.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-ginkgo-restructuring","n":26,"url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001830214/000162828026054298/dna-20260630.htm","publisher":"Ginkgo Bioworks (SEC filing)","short":"Ginkgo Bioworks"}]},{"id":"1k9syrq","at":"2025-11-14T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Groundbreaking for BioMADE's Iowa pilot plant","status":"confirmed","body":"A 15,000-square-foot site near Ames with 5,000 and 10,000-litre fermenters in a $40 million project; the release said 2027, an earlier one said early 2028.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-biomade-iowa-site","n":41,"url":"https://www.biomade.org/news/iowa-facility-groundbreaking","publisher":"BioMADE","short":"BioMADE"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-biomade-iowa-opening-date","n":13,"url":"https://www.biomade.org/news/iowa-facility-groundbreaking","publisher":"BioMADE","short":"BioMADE"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-biomade-network-size","n":42,"url":"https://www.biomade.org/news/iowa-facility-groundbreaking","publisher":"BioMADE","short":"BioMADE"}]},{"id":"p92bbc","at":"2025-10-28T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Peer-reviewed analysis documents screening implementation gaps","status":"confirmed","body":"Ambiguous definitions, fragmented triggers and thin institutional capacity, with most biosafety offices under three full-time staff.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-screening-three-gaps","n":38,"url":"https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12602429/","publisher":"Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology","short":"Frontiers…"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-biosafety-staffing","n":39,"url":"https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12602429/","publisher":"Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology","short":"Frontiers…"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-provider-screening-variation","n":40,"url":"https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12602429/","publisher":"Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology","short":"Frontiers…"}]},{"id":"1sja4gq","at":"2025-10-01T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Enzymatic provider markets 50 kb clonal DNA","status":"reported","body":"Ansa Biotechnologies announced constructs up to 50 kilobases from about 28 cents per base pair; the length comparison is a company claim.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-ansa-50kb","n":15,"url":"https://ansabio.com/blog/what-if-you-could-build-without-limits-with-50-kb-dna-now-you-can/","publisher":"Ansa Biotechnologies","short":"Ansa Biotechnologies"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-ansa-price","n":37,"url":"https://ansabio.com/blog/what-if-you-could-build-without-limits-with-50-kb-dna-now-you-can/","publisher":"Ansa Biotechnologies","short":"Ansa Biotechnologies"}]},{"id":"1prx1lk","at":"2025-09-24T00:00:00.000Z","title":"FDA raises no questions on fermented egg protein","status":"confirmed","body":"Onego Bio's Bioalbumen ovalbumin, made in Trichoderma reesei, cleared GRAS notification as GRN 1249.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-onego-gras-2025","n":14,"url":"https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2025/09/24/fda-greenlights-onego-bios-bio-identical-egg-white-protein-gras-dossier/","publisher":"FoodNavigator","short":"FoodNavigator"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-onego-trichoderma","n":36,"url":"https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2025/09/24/fda-greenlights-onego-bios-bio-identical-egg-white-protein-gras-dossier/","publisher":"FoodNavigator","short":"FoodNavigator"}]},{"id":"1sarkhl","at":"2025-08-01T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Syn57 recoded Escherichia coli published in Science","status":"confirmed","body":"A four-megabase synthetic genome with more than 101,000 codon changes, removing seven codons from the genetic code.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-syn57-genome","n":1,"url":"https://mrclmb.ac.uk/news-events/articles/syn57-represents-a-new-chapter-in-the-genetic-code-of-life","publisher":"MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology","short":"MRC Laboratory…"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-syn57-codons-removed","n":35,"url":"https://mrclmb.ac.uk/news-events/articles/syn57-represents-a-new-chapter-in-the-genetic-code-of-life","publisher":"MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology","short":"MRC Laboratory…"}]},{"id":"p65m4j","at":"2025-06-02T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Minimal cell workshop proceedings published","status":"confirmed","body":"More than 90 research groups have worked with the JCVI minimal cell, which still contains unannotated genes the cell needs for normal growth.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-syn3-user-base","n":29,"url":"https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12186739/","publisher":"ACS Synthetic Biology","short":"ACS Synthetic Biology"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-syn3-unknown-genes","n":34,"url":"https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12186739/","publisher":"ACS Synthetic Biology","short":"ACS Synthetic Biology"}]},{"id":"1bkiwij","at":"2025-05-05T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Executive order directs revision of the screening framework","status":"confirmed","body":"The order on improving the safety and security of biological research told agencies to revise or replace the 2024 framework.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-framework-revision-pending","n":4,"url":"https://www.aspr.gov/s3/synthetic-nucleic-acid-screening","publisher":"HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response","short":"HHS Administration…"}]},{"id":"1dwnavh","at":"2025-04-30T00:00:00.000Z","title":"BioMADE and Lygos fast-track a California pilot plant","status":"confirmed","body":"A nearly 25,000-square-foot Hayward site with tanks up to 4,000 litres, in a project worth at least $80 million, aimed at opening to customers in early 2026.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-biomade-hayward","n":5,"url":"https://www.biomade.org/news/biomade-and-lygos-to-fast-track-pilot-biomanufacturing-facility-in-california","publisher":"BioMADE","short":"BioMADE"}]},{"id":"euunp7","at":"2025-04-29T00:00:00.000Z","title":"BioMADE finalises $132 million demonstration plant in Minnesota","status":"confirmed","body":"A 122,000-square-foot site in Maple Grove with two 25,000-litre industrial fermenters, funded by the Department of Defense and the state.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-biomade-minnesota-2025","n":3,"url":"https://www.manufacturingusa.com/news/biomade-finalizes-132m-national-security-investment-demonstration-scale-biomanufacturing","publisher":"Manufacturing USA","short":"Manufacturing USA"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-biomade-overseas-risk","n":33,"url":"https://www.manufacturingusa.com/news/biomade-finalizes-132m-national-security-investment-demonstration-scale-biomanufacturing","publisher":"Manufacturing USA","short":"Manufacturing USA"}]},{"id":"npvvzv","at":"2025-04-01T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Congressional biotechnology commission delivers final report","status":"confirmed","body":"Delivered in April 2025 with 49 recommendations, headlined by a call for at least $15 billion of US investment in biotechnology and biomanufacturing.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-nsceb-report","n":31,"url":"https://fas.org/publication/translating-vision-into-action-nsceb-final-report/","publisher":"Federation of American Scientists","short":"Federation of American…"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-nsceb-15b","n":32,"url":"https://fas.org/publication/translating-vision-into-action-nsceb-final-report/","publisher":"Federation of American Scientists","short":"Federation of American…"}]},{"id":"1eokfy1","at":"2025-01-20T00:00:00.000Z","title":"Final Sc2.0 synthetic yeast chromosome reported","status":"confirmed","body":"The 903-kilobase synXVI was published in Nature Communications, completing the project's chromosome set after iterative redesign.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-sc20-synxvi","n":6,"url":"https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250122125522.htm","publisher":"ScienceDaily (Macquarie University news release)","short":"ScienceDaily"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-sc20-debugging","n":30,"url":"https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250122125522.htm","publisher":"ScienceDaily (Macquarie University news release)","short":"ScienceDaily"}]},{"id":"1xdas0g","at":"2024-04-29T00:00:00.000Z","title":"US framework for nucleic acid synthesis screening released","status":"confirmed","body":"Screening compliance became a condition of federal life-sciences research funding, covering providers and benchtop synthesis devices.","cites":[{"id":"synthetic-biology-ostp-framework-2024","n":27,"url":"https://www.aspr.gov/S3/Pages/OSTP-Framework-for-Nucleic-Acid-Synthesis-Screening.aspx","publisher":"HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response","short":"HHS Administration…"},{"id":"synthetic-biology-framework-funding-condition","n":12,"url":"https://www.aspr.gov/S3/Pages/OSTP-Framework-for-Nucleic-Acid-Synthesis-Screening.aspx","publisher":"HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response","short":"HHS Administration…"}]}]}