The Mid-Atlantic Synthetic Biology Network (MASBN) is a diverse and welcoming community of researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in academia, government, and the private sector who share a common interest in synthetic biology and its enabling technologies.

We are found in Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. We work in a variety of areas, including but not limited to agricultural and water sustainability, diagnostics, therapeutics, biosecurity and defense, energy, nutrition and food security, information processing, and manufacturing.

Supported by a National Science Foundation Research Coordination Network grant, our goals are to i) capacity map the Mid-Atlantic region to identify synergistic strengths and research complementarities, ii) create strategic research networks, iii) to develop and diversify the STEM workforce with particular regard to synthetic biology, and iv) to develop entrepreneurial opportunities.

Synthetic biology (SynBio) is the practical application of natural sciences, technology, and engineering to facilitate and accelerate the design, modification, and production of living organisms or cellular components that are implementable solutions to regional, national, and global problems, in a bioethical and environmentally-sensitive manner.

You are welcome to visit our website anytime to find the latest updates on opportunities, events, our activities, or other SynBio activities within the region. If you are a researcher, educator, entrepreneur, leader, business, program, or organization, consider joining the network. It’s free. Being a network member enables receipt of e-mails about events and opportunities specific to your interests, enables you to post information on this site relevant to our community, and provides eligibility for network awards. Membership is also an opportunity to maximize your connectivity to others in the network with similar or complementary interests. We especially encourage students and early career researchers to join. Not resident or working within the Mid-Atlantic region? You still may join the network.