Interweaving biology, engineering, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, social sciences, humanities, and business, synthetic biology is accelerating technological innovation. Synthetic biology uses the fundamental molecules of life, including DNAs, RNAs, and proteins, as building blocks to design new systems to solve crucial global challenges in human health, sustainability, materials, and biomanufacturing. By combining concepts across disciplines, researchers can build with biology in much the same way an engineer creates a high-tech device; but instead of the program running on a computer, it does so within a biological system. Northwestern’s Center for Synthetic Biology is leading the way by supporting cutting-edge research, innovative educational programs, and impactful entrepreneurship.