Constructive Bio

Welcome to the Constructive Bio Non-Canonical Advent Calendar 2024, where we celebrate the scientific milestones that paved the way for genetic code expansion. Standing on the shoulders of giants—from the discovery of the DNA double helix to breakthroughs in genetic engineering—we honor the achievements that empower us to reimagine biology with new-to-nature building blocks and push the boundaries of innovation! 🎄 Non-Canonical Advent Calendar: Day 1 – A Very Cambridge Beginning 🎄 We kick off the Non-canonical Advent calendar with something quintessentially Cambridge and extraordinarily special: the discovery of the DNA double helix structure in 1953. This groundbreaking moment in molecular biology laid the foundation for our understanding of the genetic code and stands as a cornerstone of modern science. The discovery was the result of scientific efforts at the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. At Cambridge, James Watson and Francis Crick employed theoretical modeling to piece together DNA’s structure. Their work relied heavily on X-ray diffraction data, including the iconic Photograph 51, captured by Rosalind Franklin and her graduate student, Raymond Gosling, at King’s College. Franklin’s meticulous analysis was instrumental in uncovering DNA’s A and B forms, its helical nature, and its double-stranded configuration—crucial insights into DNA’s biological function. Although the use of Franklin’s data—shared informally without explicit permission—remains a point of controversy, it was her crystallographic evidence that supported Watson and Crick’s iterative modeling process, enabling their revolutionary proposal of the double helix. The double helix transcended its immediate scientific impact, forming the framework that ultimately allowed researchers to decode the genetic code itself. This historic discovery was announced with characteristic Cambridge flair. On February 28, 1953, Francis Crick famously interrupted lunch at the nearby Eagle Pub, located close to the original Cavendish Laboratory on Free School Lane, to proclaim that he and Watson had "discovered the secret of life." The Cambridge pub remains a living monument to this moment, featuring a blue plaque at its entrance commemorating the scientists behind the discovery, and two more inside, pointing to the table where Crick and Watson often lunched. Today, we celebrate this extraordinary scientific breakthrough and its Cambridge legacy, which continues to inspire innovation and discovery.

We are excited to announce that Constructive Bio, represented by our talented VP of R&D, Daniel de la Torre, will be joining the UK’s thriving engineered biology community at the upcoming SynbiCITE SynbiTECH2024 event. This event serves as a cornerstone for innovation, bringing together leaders, innovators, governmental leaders and pioneers in synthetic biology to explore the latest advancements and opportunities in the field. Daniel will take the stage to share the story of Constructive Bio’s journey, from our bold inception to the successful completion of our Series A funding. But, importantly, he will highlight our core technology, which harnesses the power of synthetic genomics and engineered translation, and explore its groundbreaking applications across various industries. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase how our pioneering approach is transforming the landscape of engineered biology, driving innovation, and creating new possibilities for the future. We look forward to connecting with the community, sharing our vision, and learning from the brilliant minds gathered at SynbiTECH2024. If you’re attending, be sure to catch Daniel’s talk and meet us at the event and/or let us know here!

We're #hiring a new Senior Scientist - Molecular Biology in Cambridgeshire, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #hiring a new Protein Expression Scientist / Research Associate (E. coli) in Cambridgeshire, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #hiring a new Protein Expression Scientist / Research Associate (E. coli) in Whittlesford, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #hiring a new Executive Assistant in Cambridgeshire, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Constructive Bio is pushing the boundaries of synthetic biology, and Benchling has been a key partner in this journey. Their platform helps us manage complex data and streamline workflows as we scale genome writing and engineered translation. Learn how we’re pioneering the future of biology:

We're #hiring a new Scientist/Senior Scientist-Biologics in Cambridgeshire, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #hiring a new Scientist/Senior Scientist-Biologics in Cambridgeshire, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Huge congratulations to our founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Prof. Jason Chin, who today received an honorary doctorate from ETH Zürich – one of the world’s leading institutions in science and technology.    This honour recognises exceptional contributions to science, education, and practical applications. Jason now joins a remarkable group of visionary scientific minds, alongside Nobel laureates like physicist Kip Thorne and biochemist Frances H. Arnold, and Albert Einstein.   Jason’s pioneering research, including the full synthesis of the E. coli genome, is reshaping the future of biology and chemistry and pushing synthetic biology and Constructive Bio to new frontiers. We’re incredibly proud to see his name listed among some of history’s most influential thinkers.   #TeamConstructive #SyntheticBiology #Innovation   Photo from the ceremony from the ETH Zurich's Twitter! See also: https://lnkd.in/eJPApqJz https://lnkd.in/ewzPYB73