How to Grow Almost Anything: The Future of Synthetic Biology Is Here | David Kong | TEDxBoston

In this inspiring TEDxBoston 2025 talk, Dr. David Kong takes us inside one of the most groundbreaking educational initiatives in synthetic biology: "How to Grow Almost Anything." Co-taught at MIT and Harvard with pioneers like George Church and Joe Jacobson, the course empowers students from all backgrounds—artists, engineers, urban planners, and even retirees—to design living systems, engineer DNA, and shape the future of biology. From stress-sensing biosensors and lab-grown meat to cloud-controlled robots and global research on antibiotic resistance, this talk explores how biotechnology education is being reimagined for radical access and planetary impact. Discover how students around the world are learning to read, write, and program life itself—with just a laptop and an internet connection. ? Whether you're a scientist, educator, student, or simply curious about the future of biology—this is a vision you won’t want to miss. ? Learn more: https://www.htgaa.org #SyntheticBiology #MIT #TEDx #HowToGrowAlmostAnything #Biotech #FutureOfEducation #DNA #CloudLabs #GlobalLearning David Kong is an experienced entrepreneur, educator, and innovator in the fields of synthetic biology and biotechnology. He is the co-founder and CEO of The Bio Builders Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering students to engage in hands-on, project-based learning in biotechnology. David has a strong passion for democratizing access to advanced biological tools and knowledge, aiming to make synthetic biology more accessible to a global audience. Before his work in biotechnology education, David completed his Master's degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he developed expertise in bioengineering and lab automation. His research interests include the intersection of biology and technology, and he is a strong advocate for the integration of computational tools into the biological sciences to accelerate innovation. David’s background also includes experience in scientific entrepreneurship, and he has collaborated with top-tier research institutions such as MIT, Harvard University, and other leading biotech organizations. His work is focused on using emerging technologies like cloud labs, robotics, and artificial intelligence to revolutionize how biological research is conducted and scaled. Through his ventures, David is working to create a future where anyone, anywhere, can access the tools and knowledge to grow, engineer, and innovate with biology—ultimately advancing solutions for global challenges like sustainability and human health. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx