Clothing made from spider silk. Ink made from algae. Construction materials made from microbes. Many manmade structures, systems and products are designed using nature as a blueprint for inspiration. That’s because nature, finetuned over billions of years, is a master of efficiency, adaptability and durability. No surprise that scientists closely study the natural world to tease out its secrets. Biology-based scientific research and discovery has strong commercial potential. Three scientists-turned-entrepreneurs discuss how they are bringing spider silk proteins, algae and microbes to the business world and the lessons they had to learn (and unlearn) entering the business world from the laboratory.

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