Timothy Lu

Tim developed key elements of Engine Bio’s technology platforms and has deep expertise in synthetic and systems biology, genetic interactions mapping, and computer science/engineering.

Tim is an Associate Professor leading the Synthetic Biology Group in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Department of Biological Engineering at MIT. Tim graduated with his SB and MEng from MIT, and his MD/PhD from the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program. He is a core member of the MIT Synthetic Biology Center and a co-founder of multiple biotechnology companies innovating new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for human health, including Sample6, Senti Biosciences, Synlogic, Eligo Biosciences, BiomX, and Engine Biosciences. He currently serves as CEO of Senti Biosciences.

Tim’s research at MIT focuses on engineering platforms for computing and memory in living cells and applying these to create adaptive medicines as next-generation cell and gene therapies for important human diseases. His work also includes developing novel technology platforms to interrogate and correct diseased cell states. He is a recipient of the ACS Synthetic Biology Young Investigator Award, the Biochemical Engineering Journal Young Investigator Award, the NIH New Innovator Award, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, and the Ellison Medical Foundation New Scholar in Aging Award, among others.