Modern Synthesis

2024 was the launchpad. 2025 is the leap. At Modern Synthesis, we’re bringing life to new materials. The world took notice this year – and we’ve been busy behind the scenes. It’s been a pivotal year of growth, momentum, and material progress. Swipe to see how far we've come ➡️ Stay tuned – our biggest year yet is just around the corner... Be the first to know with our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/evRv_AfU

Bacteria get a bad rap. I'm a big fan of bacteria, but I know that not everyone shares the love for these misunderstood microorganisms. For the latest Modern Synthesis newsletter, I reflected on the surprising secrets of bacteria and what they can teach us about innovation. ⬇️ Microbes, the planet’s earliest inhabitants, were pioneers in problem-solving. Faced with the extreme and inhospitable conditions of early Earth – long before there was even a climate as we would recognise it now – microbes had to innovate to survive. One of the microbe’s most impressive feats, developed at least 3.25 billion years ago, was forming biofilms – resilient microbial communities that cling to surfaces or float on liquids, forming protective, jelly-like layers. Biofilms are ingenious survival strategies. They shield microbes from environmental stressors like UV radiation, temperature swings, physical forces, and rival organisms. Alone, microbes are vulnerable; together, they are unyielding. But this resilience presents a paradox. Context, as always, is key. What is a lifeline for microbes can become a liability elsewhere. In hospitals, biofilms can stubbornly cling to medical devices and wounds, their inherent resilience translating into resistance to treatment. For this reason, ‘bacteria’ have developed a bad reputation that conjures images of disease and contamination. While not unfounded, this fear paints an incomplete picture. At @Modern Synthesis, we see bacteria as masterful engineers, capable of extraordinary feats. By harnessing the brilliance of biofilms, we’re creating safe, sustainable, and high-performing materials that emulate nature’s ingenuity. This shift in public understanding is already underway. News outlets and broadcasters increasingly highlight the potential of these microorganisms for making materials, and the groundbreaking work happening in our lab (did you catch us on the BBC!?) By reframing the paradox – embracing microbes as collaborators, rather than adversaries – we could unlock a future where material systems are as resilient and adaptive as the natural systems that inspired them. — Interested in receiving insights from the frontlines of bio-innovation directly to your inbox? Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gvKzGJmy 

When it comes to material innovation, there is more to microbes than meets the microscope 🔬🦠 Our CTO & Co-Founder Ben Reeve is well-versed in the brilliance of bacteria, having worked with them for over a decade. But we know that our love for these tiny organisms isn't universal... Yet. Many see bacteria only as a threat to be managed, rather than an opportunity to collaborate. That’s why, in our latest newsletter, Ben lets us in on the surprising secrets of these microscopic marvels, painting a more complete picture of bacteria and their potential to revolutionise materials. Swipe to read ➡️ 🔗 Our quarterly newsletters bring insights and inspiration from the frontlines of bio-innovation directly to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/evRv_AfU #bacteria #sustainablefashion #materialinnovation #biotechnology

Calling all smooth operators, finance wizards, and compliance connoisseurs: Modern Synthesis is seeking a Finance & Operations Manager to join our team. This role sits at the intersection of finance, innovation, and real-world impact. You'll be a key player in supercharging our systems and steering the company's financial course during an exciting period of growth, with plenty of room to grow within the role, too. 🌱 Interested? We want to hear from you! Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eb-BSnyR #Hiring #SustainableInnovation #Operations

Our nanocellulose-based handbag took a seat among the esteemed company of the House of Lords, referenced as an example of the UK’s leadership in engineering biology 🧬✨ “It’s really important to understand that these things are here now. We’re not talking about science fiction… we’re talking about real products” said Professor Dame Angela McLean, Government Chief Scientific Adviser. Lending a little je ne sais quoi to the proceedings, our Modern Synthesis x Ganni A/S Bou Bag was on hand to make the future of engineering biology feel more real and tangible – proof that it’s not science fiction, but here today and ready to make waves. #EngineeringBiology #SustainableFashion #Biotechnology #FutureofFashion

Putting the BC (bacterial cellulose) in BBC! 🦠🎥 We were thrilled to welcome back the BBC to film in our lab for the second time this year. Friday's Breakfast News feature on engineering biology showcased our bio-based materials as one of the many promising solutions emerging from the field in the UK. Catch the clip below to see our materials in action 🎬 #EngineeringBiology #Biotechnology #MaterialInnovation #ScienceNews

Are you passionate about innovation, scaling operations, and maybe just a little impatient to transform manufacturing systems for the better? Then we’ve got a role waiting for you. We’re looking for a VP of Operations to shape and execute our operational strategy, reporting directly to our CEO, Jen Keane, and collaborating closely with our brilliant CTO, Ben Reeve. You'll bring your curiosity, hard-earned expertise, and boundless energy to: 🎯 Lead the development and execution of our operational strategy, ensuring it's aligned with our mission and commercial goals; 🌐 Oversee end-to-end operations, with a laser focus on building manufacturing, supply chain, and quality control functions; 🥽 Champion a culture of excellence, safety, sustainability, and compliance across all activities... among other exciting things! Find the full description and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eFfpC23M #Biomanufacturing #ScalingInnovation #SustainableMaterials

Stories of Connection #2: Modern Synthesis   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gigbrW-H 📥    🎉 Celebrating our 5th anniversary and the #2023ImpactReport launch – meet Jen Keane, co-founder of Modern Synthesis. Their patent-pending bio-technology process works with bacteria to produce nanocellulose-based materials, offering performance without plastics and aesthetics without animal inputs.    “Winning The Mills Fabrica × Central Saint Martin Prize generated significant momentum for my career, while joining the incubation program enabled us to leverage The Mills Fabrica’s extensive facilities and networks, enhancing our technological capabilities and brand awareness,” Jen shared.    Our incubation program is designed to be made-to-measure, tailoring it to each startup’s specific stage of growth and needs. Explore more from Jen’s full interview! https://lnkd.in/gigbrW-H 📥 #TheMillsFabrica #ModernSynthesis #Sustainability #Innovation #FashionRevolution

September marks a seasonal transition, when the vitality of summer gives way to autumnal renewal. But for fashion, September is a month of buzzing energy - with Fashion Week runways igniting imaginations from New York to Milan. While global Fashion Weeks have long defined the trends that make it from the catwalk to our clothes, recent reports reveal the fashion industry is falling short of achieving the same leadership in climate action. 📢 A new report from Collective Fashion Justice shows that less than 4% of 206 British Fashion Council brands have publicly disclosed any “any public climate targets whatsoever.” 🔦 This staggering figure highlights the urgent need for fashion brands to set science-based climate targets - but also to ensure those targets are met with improved material sourcing strategies. 🧫 According to the report, a central tenet of fashion’s climate strategies should be a “just transition towards bio-based, plant and recycled materials, rather than animal or fossil fuel-based materials.” 👕 With up to 50% of the fashion industry’s environmental footprint stemming from raw material production (McKinsey, Fashion for Good/BCG), fashion companies simply can’t afford to ignore the climate impacts woven into their material choices. In our next posts, we’ll explore a few factors holding fashion back from making (and making good on) public decarbonisation commitments. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/efPz-6dq #SustainableFashion #ClimateAction #GlobalGoals

We’re proud to be featured in 5th anniversary edition of The Mills Fabrica Impact Report 🎉 Innovation always begins with a question. Our Co-Founder first asked: what if biology and microorganisms could transform the way materials are made, for the better? But true progress comes from asking the right questions—not just seeking quick solutions. The Mills Fabrica has been a constant supporter of our curiosity since the earliest days of Modern Synthesis, when our technology was still in its infancy. Fast-forward five years, and we’re recognised as an established player within a thriving ecosystem of innovators driving planet-positive change. In her featured interview, Jen Keane speaks to how our journey has been fuelled by curiosity—about nature, how we make decisions about the products we use every day, and how we can reshape production systems for a more sustainable world. Curious to read the full conversation? Check out page 49 of the report here: https://lnkd.in/emF5SZUf #SustainableInnovation #Biotechnology #Biomaterials #Impact #Curiosity