Just as the 20th century was transformed by information technology, the 21st century promises to be the era of biology.

Biotechnology is beginning to move discoveries from the lab to the public faster than ever. And synthetic biology is at the forefront of that, combining advances in engineering and biology in ways that will profoundly impact human well-being.

It will enable manufacturers to rapidly create and make available vaccines for the seasonal flu and pandemic outbreaks. Chronic diseases, agriculture and energy production all stand to benefit from continued research.

Beyond the technical accomplishments, the synthetic biology community is striving to create a culture of responsible innovation that anticipates and proactively addresses issues of safety and security.

Panelists will discuss how investments in advanced biotechnologies are helping researchers address these challenges in better ways, sometimes solving problems with no current solutions. They will also talk about how federal investments are revolutionizing biotechnology, efforts to ensure that this field innovates responsibly, and how public-private partnerships will solidify the nation's leadership in the bioeconomy and speed innovations from the lab bench to the public.