Abstract

Synthetic biology, or “engineering biology,” is the use of advanced genetic tools, such as CRISPR-Cas gene-editing techniques, to engineer organisms to perform desired, modified functions from their natural state. This work includes the creation of products to support a new bioeconomy—the use of renewable biological resources (e.g., plants and microbes) to produce commercial goods and clean energy while minimizing waste creation. The products range from biofuels and chemicals to bioplastics and other biomaterials, as well as biological substances needed for producing a broader range of pharmaceuticals. 

The field of synthetic biology is essential for the realization of this bioeconomy for two reasons. First, it enables the creation of needed recyclable products. Secondly, it harnesses and creates biological routes to supply the carbon needed to support our economy by both converting existing end-of-life wastes to useful products and creating novel, purpose-grown, and sustainable feedstocks.  

I will discuss how ORNL researchers are advancing microbial and plant synthetic biology relevant to the bioeconomy, as well as new technologies being developed to industrialize these bio-based processes.

Biographical Sketch

 Dr. Carrie Eckert has been the leader of the Synthetic Biology Group at ORNL since July 2021 and has recently assumed the position of Chief Science Officer with the Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI), DOE Office of Science Bioenergy Research Center. Prior to moving to ORNL, she had previous appointments at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the University of Colorado at Boulder under the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI). She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Colorado and a B.S. degree in biology (magna cum laude) from the University of South Dakota. A native of North Dakota, she grew up in South Dakota and lived much of her adult life in Colorado. 

Her research is focused on developing tools to enable and accelerate the genetic manipulation and metabolic engineering of various microbial systems. Specifically, she is most interested in the development of high-throughput, CRISPR-based methods for genotype-phenotype discovery for applications in metabolic engineering.