The Systems and Synthetic Biology group designs proteins, microbes, and microbial communities for clean energy, manufacturing, agriculture, bioremediation, and human health. We use systems biology approaches to gain a predictive understanding of complex microbes/microbial communities and uncover foundational design rules that govern system level behavior. We employ synthetic biology approaches to redesign proteins and microbial pathways that sequester target critical metals, resist mutational inactivation, and generate products of strategic importance. Using engineering and material science principles, we translate fundamental science discoveries into platform technologies that benefit national security.