The Age of Living Machines

Susan Hockfield's lively and authoritative book brings to life the bio revolution that is coming and that will dwarf the computer revolution in causing disruption--for better and worse.--Ashton B. Carter, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School, and MIT Innovation Fellow Beautifully captures the science and the stories underpinning the convergence of biology and engineering as a transformative 21st century enterprise. One of those stories--biologically organized batteries--addresses the clean energy revolution needed for mitigating climate change, capturing both of Hockfield's signature initiatives as MIT President.--Ernest J. Moniz, former U.S. Secretary of Energy Timely, provocative insights into ways the genomic and bioengineering revolution is likely to transform our world in the next half century as profoundly as computer chips powering the information revolution transformed the past 50 years.--Graham Allison, Douglas Dillon Professor of Government, Harvard Kennedy School, and author of Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides's Trap? Life sciences are at the doorstep of meeting the major challenges of our time: energy, food, water, and disease. Hockfield views this future through the eyes of scientists at the interface of engineering and biology in an exciting and enjoyable book.--Phillip A. Sharp, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT A highly readable and deeply informative look over the scientific horizon into a future where biology and engineering converge to offer extraordinary means to improve our world.--Drew Gilpin Faust, President Emerita and Lincoln Professor of History, Harvard University