Imagine a microbe that could convert corn into plastic—almost like brewing beer—or a bacteria that could purify sewage in a process that generates electricity. A few years ago, those scenarios would have been science fiction—but today they’re quickly becoming a reality. And that’s just the beginning, says Harvard Medical School Genetics Professor George Church. The co-author of Regenesis points to nanotechnology and genome engineering as emerging fields that have led us to the threshold of a new era of bioengineering. Presented as part of Town Hall Science series, sponsored by University Book Store and Microsoft. Series media sponsorship provided by KPLU. For tickets, click here.