BIOTECH SET TO REINVENT INDUSTRIES

WITH THE GLOBAL POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO TOUCH 9.7 BILLION BY 2050 AND CONSUPTION ALREADY DOUBLING EVERY 12 YEARS, THE TWIN CATASTROPHES OF PLANETARY AND HUMAN HEALTH ARE LOOMING LARGE.

$100 trillion

worth of new business opportunities will be created due to the twin catastrophes, according to IndieBio’s founder Arvind Gupta

Among the most promising/controversial is the discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique. Scientists can use CRISPR to edit a living person’s DNA, deleting or repairing damaged sections.

Other technologies, like DNA sequencing, cell engineering and bioprinting, have led to the creation of animal-free protein products, bio fuels for jet engines, lightweight materials stronger than steel and even memory for computer storage.

Companies like Amyris are trying to do away with fossil fuels by turning genetically engineered yeast (i.e. sugar) into environmentally friendly gas and jet fuel.

Lingrove is trying to lessen our reliance on trees, and the deforestation that comes with it, by creating wood products with flax fiber and bio-epoxy resin.

With its plant-based meat product, Beyond Meat is trying to address our global population’s need for protein while also tackling the cow problem

While Microsoft is working on how a few grams of DNA can store as much information as an entire data centre, Another company is aimming to building computers from neurons.