Programming Biology for Material Innovation

MARCH 10-12, 2026 | RALEIGH, NC
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New! Programming Biology
for Material Innovation

This symposium explores the cutting-edge intersection of synthetic biology, materials science, and engineering. It highlights advances in programming living systems and biomolecular processes to design and produce novel materials with unprecedented properties. Topics include engineered biomaterials, biofabrication, genetic circuits for material synthesis, and applications spanning bio-manufacturing, smart materials, and next-generation nanotechnology. Join leading researchers and innovators as they discuss how programming biology is unlocking new frontiers in material innovation.

Topics & Application Areas

Synthetic Biology Approaches for Material Synthesis
Engineered Living Materials and Biofabrication
Genetic Circuit Design for Programmable Material Properties
Biomolecular Self-Assembly and Nanostructure Formation
CRISPR and Genome Editing for Functional Materials
Protein and Peptide-Based Material Engineering
Microbial Factories for Sustainable Material Production
Cell-Free Systems for On-Demand Material Synthesis
Biohybrid and Smart Responsive Materials
Applications in Energy, Sensing, and Environmental Remediation
Other

Symposium Co-Chairs

Crysten Blaby-Haas

Staff Scientist

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Jeffrey Moseley

Researcher

University of California, Berkeley

Key Speakers

Programmable Autogenic Engineered Living Materials for Advancing Health and Environmental Sustainability

Anna Duraj-Thatte

Assistant Professor,

Virginia Tech

Predictable programming of self-organized pattern formation

Lingchong You

Distinguished Professor,

Duke University

Back to Top ↑ 2026 Symposium Sessions
	Tuesday March 10
1:30	Programming Biology for Material Innovation
4:00	Programming Biology for Material Innovation-Posters

2026 Symposium Program
	Tuesday March 10

1:30	Programming Biology for Material Innovation
	Session chair: Crysten Blaby-Haas, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, & Jeffrey Moseley, University of California, Berkeley
	Programmable Autogenic Engineered Living Materials for Advancing Health and Environmental Sustainability A. Duraj-Thatte, Virginia Tech, US
	Metabolic engineering of thermoacidophilic microalgae enables wastewater-specific approaches to sustainability and biomanufacturing P.J. Lammers, E. Fini, K. Lauersen, Arizona State University, US
	A Simple Route to Complex Insights: Revealing Protein Stability through Fluorescent Thermodynamics T. Wright, University of California, Los Angeles, US
	Nano-ERASER: A novel intracellular protein degradation platform and its application in cancer and Alzheimer’s disease therapy P. Xu, University of South Carolina, US
	Phage‑Architecture Antibacterial Nanoparticles Wound Dressings Clear ESKAPEE Infections J. Hopf, C. Kudary, S. Lee, D. Donahue, V. Ploplis, F.J. Castellino, Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health / University of Notre Dame, US
	Predictable programming of self-organized pattern formation L. You, Duke University, US
	Cell-Inspired Design of BioInteractive Materials: Expanding the Supramolecular Toolbox R. Freeman, UNC-Chapel Hill, US

4:00	Programming Biology for Material Innovation-Posters
	Evaluating the Intrinsic Catalytic Advantages of Rubisco Biocondensation through Synthetic Biology and Algal Models P. Chang, J. Summer, C. E. Blaby-Haas, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US
	Cellulose Nanocrystal-Like Liquid Crystal Mesogens Self-Assembly in Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics S.E. Trujillo, M. Fedai, A.L. Kwansa, Y.G. Yingling, North Carolina State University, US
	Dynamic bonding (dyBonding) in DPD for simulating DNA hybridization and self-assembly C.J. Bayard, Y.G. Yingling, North Carolina State University, US