I want to start a synthetic biology company, now what? | Hacker News Reader

I want to start a synthetic biology company, now what?

3 pointsRahCom7 comments

How much research have you done so far? How committed are you to achieving this?

I ask because your question is worded in such a way to suggest you've just had the idea and want other people to provide some answers. If that is the case then you have a bigger question to answer - if the first thing I do when I've had my grand idea is to want other people to tell me how and what to do, how passionate am I about this? Because you'll need passion to see you through the long road.

I apologize for my noncommittal question. I currently hold a master's degree (that I recently completed) in bioengineering. I am completely committed to making this a reality. I am only unsure of how to move forward in regards to governmental regulations, patent concerns, and if I should further my education in the field or not. What are your thoughts?

What is required to start synthetic biology company from 0 depends on what problem you are trying to solve commercially. If you do not have a problem in particular, then you need to evaluate the current research and commercial synthetic biology space, approximate the gaps in services and identify a problem you would like to address. Once you have a better idea of the problem, then you will have an idea of where to start. What did you have in mind ?

Thanks for your reply, and I apologize for my tardy response. I'm interested in the whole field of Synthetic Biology, with no particular research focus. From my understanding, synthetic biology is able to solve many world problems. This includes creating machines from synthetized components to solve the "particular problems" of the world, including ending world hunger, curing disease, solving our energy crises, and uplifting the human condition.

To add to my ask HN response: I have an master's degree in bioengineering, so I am no stranger to the field. I am unsure of where to focus my studies to maximize my contribution to the field. I hope that helps.

I'd get a PhD first or hook up with a PhD-trained co-founder.

I currently have a masters degree in bioengineering, do you believe that a PhD is required to create a SynBio startup?

It's a much less mature engineering field than any of the others, so it's still a lot of R&D to get anything done. PhD is a big help in teaching you to do that well. I still recommend it, though at some point in the future it won't be necessary.

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