Dr Jay Keasling is a pioneering figure in synthetic biology whose work has reshaped modern biotechnology and global health. A professor at the University of California, Berkeley, he also founded the Berkeley Center for Synthetic Biology and has played a leading role in the Joint BioEnergy Institute.
Keasling is best known for engineering microbes to produce artemisinin, a key antimalarial drug. By developing a semi-synthetic production method, his team helped stabilise supply and reduce costs, significantly improving access to lifesaving treatment worldwide. Beyond pharmaceuticals, he founded Amyris, a company that applies synthetic biology to create renewable fuels and sustainable chemicals, demonstrating how biology can be harnessed as a manufacturing platform.
His research has contributed to advances in metabolic engineering, bio-manufacturing and sustainable energy solutions, influencing both academic science and industry. While he keeps his personal life private, Keasling has supported efforts to broaden participation and inclusion in STEM fields. Through scientific innovation and institutional leadership, he has helped position synthetic biology at the forefront of efforts to tackle global health and climate challenges.
