The MBBE department embraces the dynamic changes occurring in the life sciences. This field is being transformed by a powerful combination of new molecular scale principles, genomic technologies, engineering concepts, and computational innovation. We are embarking on an era where we can combine our understanding of biological processes, from the mechanisms of biochemical interactions to the physical design principles of engineering.  This capacity stems from the fact that all biological systems operate with a common set of instructions that emanate and the genomes of organisms and the biophysical properties of proteins and numerous biomolecules. As such, the genomes of organisms are becoming a common language of the life sciences. 

It is our shared vision that MBBE incorporate the field of synthetic biology and also use genomics and bioinformatics to achieve a whole systems-level understanding of the living organism. To meet these goals, sophisticated analytical, biochemical, and genetic technologies are used to peer into the activities of living systems, focusing on the structures and functions of macromolecules. Metabolic pathways and cells are modified, molecular machines and new functional platforms are designed to solve problems in agriculture, medicine, the environment, forensics, and diagnostics. 

These technological developments will influence all aspects of our lives from the quality of food and fiber to the preservation of natural resources and healthy living. The molecular tools will lead to technologies to increase crop yields, clean up the environment, manage infectious diseases, cure metabolic and cellular dysfunction, and define the quality of life.