The article entitled “Rice University launches synthetic biology, water institutes in boost for graduate program” covers the goals of both the RSBI and the new WaTER Institute. Dr. Ajo-Franklin was interviewed and posed these questions as the driving inquiry behind the RSBI:

“The fundamental science that the institute is about is, how do we manipulate DNA to create useful biotechnologies, and ones that will benefit society?” said Ajo-Franklin, professor of biosciences, engineering, and chemical and biomolecular engineering. “How do we create therapeutics that are essentially manufactured on demand in the body? How are we creating materials that are more sustainable?”