Genomic Science Program
U.S. Department of Energy | Office of Science | Biological and Environmental Research Program

Microbial Design for a Developing Bioeconomy

Frontier Science for the Bioeconomy Workshop Series

Microbial Design Cover

Foundational advancements in synthetic biology, automation, and data-guided workflows are powering a transition from exploratory biology to intentional, function-driven biosystems design. These advancements position microbial design as an emerging cornerstone of the $1 trillion U.S. bioeconomy, offering transformative production potential for fuels, chemicals, and materials. To assess the current landscape in biosystems design and identify future directions, DOE’s Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program convened the Microbial Design for a Developing Bioeconomy workshop. Participants explored the potential for BER’s foundational science priorities in discovery, mechanistic understanding, and microbial systems engineering to enable precise control over microbial behavior.

Suggested citation: U.S. DOE. 2026. Microbial Design for a Developing Bioeconomy: Frontier Science for the Bioeconomy Workshop Series, DOE/SC-2027. U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. https://doi.org/10.2172/3013055.

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