Why this Program?
Synthetic Biology is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field focused on creating new biological parts, devices, and systems or repurposing existing ones for beneficial purposes (gene therapies, sustainable materials, food production). Grounded in principles of standardization, abstraction, and modularity, it applies the Design-Build-Test-Learn engineering cycle to address long-standing biological challenges. It integrates knowledge across sectors such as natural sciences and technology, health, and social sciences, aligning closely with strategic priorities, including sustainable materials and technologies, biomedical advancement, biological system exploration, and the impact of digital-age technologies.
The field is expected to experience exponential growth, with a projected socioeconomic impact of 3.6 trillion dollars annually by 2030–2040. Synthetic Biology is a priority area in the EU alongside AI and Quantum Science, with strong programs at leading universities such as Imperial College, University College London, and Université Paris-Saclay. On the other hand, Canadian synthetic biology research is currently underrepresented internationally, with only the University of Toronto ranking among the top 50 publishing institutions.
The proposed program is necessary due to the highly interdisciplinary nature of the field, which addresses topics ranging from engineering, computation, and health to the life sciences, biotechnology, plant sciences, and ethics. It will also be unique in Canada, with few comparable initiatives. While Concordia University’s Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology focuses on top-down industrial applications, McGill’s program will leverage its research excellence to train students at the interface of engineering, health, and life sciences, covering both bottom-up and top-down approaches. With expanding career opportunities in academia, industry, and government, the proposed program will attract a new pool of high-quality applicants and train specialists, enhancing their employability beyond the main Biomedical Engineering program.
There is strong student interest, as evidenced by McGill’s successful iGEM team, a top competitor in the world’s largest synthetic biology competition. The iGEM program recruits about 30 students annually from diverse faculties for interdisciplinary projects, with participants frequently serving as ambassadors, judges, and conference presenters. This growing cohort urgently needs a graduate program to continue training. Universities with dedicated programs in cutting-edge fields are better positioned to secure research funding, industry partnerships, and government support. A Synthetic Biology program could become a hub for innovation, facilitating resource allocation and brand building.
The proposed concentration in Synthetic Biology will provide a focused graduate education path for students interested in this highly active field, as outlined above.