But what if we can’t find an organism that naturally creates the product we’re looking for? What if we find one, but it doesn’t produce enough of our molecule of interest to make economic sense? Here is where synthetic biology (synbio, or engineering biology) comes in. Synbio is a multidisciplinary field that brings together biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science to turn micro-organisms into tiny factories that churn out products better than their natural counterparts. Synbio enables scientists to engineer micro-organisms and other biological systems to perform specific tasks with remarkable precision.

Canada is rich in natural resources, which has led to the development of numerous industries. However, the outcome is that waste produced is often disposed of in less-than-ideal ways. Fortunately, MetaCycler BioInnovations, is looking to change this narrative. The company, which is a spin-off from wasteCANcreate project member Dr. Trevor Charles’ lab at the University of Waterloo, is looking to divert food waste from landfills and produce valuable bio-plastic polymers that are being developed to have the same favourable characteristics as traditional oil-based plastics without creating harmful byproducts along the way. Similarly, YZymes Inc., a start-up company from Dr. Emma Master’s lab (also a wasteCANcreate project member) at the University of Toronto, produces chemical precursors for the production of bio-nylon and various commercially important resins, coatings, and adhesives, from tree biomass and leftover distillers’ grains, which are byproducts of the forestry and corn-based ethanol industries.

Key Advantages to Synbio in Biomanufacturing

1. Customization: Synbio allows researchers to tailor micro-organisms to produce desired compounds efficiently. This level of customization means that biomanufacturing can be adapted to a wide array of applications, from sustainable materials to biofuels, catering to the needs of a wide variety of industries. It will even allow us to create materials that don’t currently exist.
2. Resource Efficiency: Biomanufacturing relies on renewable resources, such as plant biomass or waste streams, as feedstock for micro-organisms. This approach reduces dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions which is less harmful to the environment.
3. Waste Reduction: Traditional manufacturing often generates significant waste and harmful byproducts. But biomanufacturing has the potential to create products and processes with minimal waste, making it more sustainable and efficient.
4. Low Carbon Footprint: As biomanufacturing largely relies on biological processes, it results in a smaller carbon footprint compared to conventional manufacturing methods.