Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s most influential philanthropists, has placed a significant bet on Ginkgo Bioworks, a Boston-based biotech startup that specializes in synthetic biology.

This innovative company is transforming industries by reprogramming the genetic code of organisms to produce a wide range of products, from fragrances and beverage sweeteners to sustainable fertilizers. With its cutting-edge technology for printing synthetic DNA, Ginkgo Bioworks is amassing one of the largest libraries of usable genetic code in the world.

But what makes this startup so compelling to Gates, and why is synthetic biology considered the next frontier of innovation?

The Rise of Ginkgo Bioworks

Founded in 2009 by a group of MIT scientists, Ginkgo Bioworks has emerged as a leader in the field of synthetic biology. In 2014, the company made history by becoming the first biotech firm accepted into Y Combinator, the prestigious startup accelerator known for nurturing tech giants like Airbnb and Dropbox. By 2018, Ginkgo had raised $429 million in funding, including backing from Cascade Investment, Bill Gates’ asset management firm, valuing the company at over $1 billion.

At the heart of Ginkgo’s success is its ability to automate the process of designing and synthesizing DNA. The company uses advanced robotics and software to assemble genetic fragments, creating custom-built organisms tailored for specific purposes. This breakthrough has positioned Ginkgo as a pioneer in the rapidly growing field of synthetic biology, earning it recognition as one of CNBC’s top 50 disruptive companies in 2018.

What is Synthetic Biology?

Synthetic biology involves redesigning the genetic makeup of organisms to give them new functions. Think of it as programming, but instead of writing code for computers, scientists write code for life itself. DNA serves as the “code” that determines how an organism behaves. By editing this code, researchers can create microorganisms like yeast or bacteria that produce valuable materials, such as rose oil for perfumes or natural sweeteners for beverages.

“Synthetic biology allows us to rewrite the code of life,” explains Frances Arnold, a professor of chemical engineering, bioengineering, and biochemistry at Caltech. “We’re creating things that traditional chemistry cannot—or does not do efficiently—but biology can.”

This approach is not entirely new. Genetic modification has been around since the 1980s, with applications ranging from agricultural crops to pharmaceuticals. For example, Monsanto’s Bt corn uses genetically modified bacteria to protect plants from pests. However, what sets Ginkgo apart is its ability to scale these processes using automation and standardization, making genetic engineering faster, cheaper, and more accessible than ever before.

The Role of Automation in Genetic Engineering

One of Ginkgo’s key innovations is its automated platform for designing and printing DNA. The company operates state-of-the-art labs equipped with robots and software that streamline the process of assembling genetic sequences. This allows Ginkgo to create thousands of custom-designed organisms quickly and cost-effectively.

“We’re building a platform that lets you design organisms,” says CEO Jason Kelly, who studied chemical engineering at MIT. “You go to a computer, specify the sequence you want, print it out, insert it into a microorganism, and test how it performs.”

This modular approach enables Ginkgo to apply the same process across multiple industries, from agriculture to healthcare. For instance, the company recently partnered with Bayer to develop microbes capable of producing nitrogen-based fertilizers for crops like corn, wheat, and rice. This collaboration aims to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, which are energy-intensive to produce and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

Addressing Global Challenges Through Synthetic Biology

The global fertilizer market is ripe for disruption. Traditional nitrogen fertilizers, widely used in agriculture, are manufactured in energy-intensive chemical plants that release vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. While some plants, like soybeans and peanuts, have microbes in their roots that naturally fix atmospheric nitrogen, others—such as corn, wheat, and rice—do not.

To address this gap, Joyn Bio, a joint venture between Ginkgo and Bayer, is leveraging genetic engineering to modify the microbes associated with non-nitrogen-fixing crops. The goal is to enable these crops to absorb nitrogen directly from the air, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and promoting sustainable farming practices.

“Agriculture has seen tremendous growth thanks to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, but we need a more sustainable long-term solution,” says Mike Miille, CEO of Joyn Bio. “By engineering microbes, we hope to replicate nature’s own processes and make farming greener.”

Why Bill Gates Invested in Ginkgo

For Bill Gates, investing in Ginkgo aligns perfectly with his mission to tackle some of humanity’s biggest challenges. Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates has long supported initiatives aimed at improving global health, food security, and climate resilience. Ginkgo’s work in synthetic biology offers promising solutions to all three areas.

For example, genetically engineered microbes could help combat malnutrition by producing affordable vitamins and supplements. They could also play a role in mitigating climate change by replacing environmentally harmful chemicals with sustainable alternatives. Moreover, the ability to produce complex molecules through biology rather than traditional manufacturing opens up endless possibilities for innovation.

“Reading and writing DNA has become incredibly cheap and efficient,” notes Frances Arnold. “This technological leap is enabling us to solve problems in ways we couldn’t imagine just a few years ago.”

Scaling Up: Ginkgo’s Growing Footprint

In recent years, Ginkgo has expanded its operations significantly. In late 2022, the company opened Bioworks3, its third automated lab, and secured an additional $275 million in funding to build a fourth facility. These labs serve as “biofoundries,” where researchers use robotic systems to design, build, and test thousands of genetic designs simultaneously.

The scalability of Ginkgo’s platform is one of its greatest strengths. By standardizing the process of combining genetic elements, the company can adapt its technology to diverse industries, from fragrance production to renewable energy. This flexibility not only drives down costs but also accelerates the development of novel products.

The Future of Synthetic Biology

As synthetic biology continues to evolve, its potential applications are virtually limitless. Beyond agriculture and healthcare, the field holds promise for addressing environmental issues, developing new materials, and even exploring space. NASA, for instance, is exploring the use of synthetic biology to sustain human life on Mars by engineering organisms that can produce oxygen, food, and fuel.

However, the rapid advancement of synthetic biology also raises ethical concerns. Critics worry about the unintended consequences of releasing genetically modified organisms into the environment and the potential misuse of synthetic DNA for malicious purposes. To address these risks, experts emphasize the importance of robust regulatory frameworks and responsible innovation.

Conclusion: A New Era of Biological Engineering

Ginkgo Bioworks represents the dawn of a new era in biological engineering, where the boundaries between science fiction and reality blur. By harnessing the power of synthetic biology, the company is unlocking unprecedented opportunities to reshape industries and improve lives. For visionaries like Bill Gates, supporting startups like Ginkgo is not just an investment in cutting-edge technology—it’s an investment in a better future.

As Ginkgo continues to push the limits of what’s possible, one thing is clear: synthetic biology is poised to revolutionize the way we live, work, and interact with the natural world. And with leaders like Gates championing this transformative field, the possibilities are truly boundless.