The UC San Diego Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (UCSD MRSEC) is working to understand two current fundamen ... tal challenges in materials research: how to predict and command self-assembly for meso-materials synthesis (IRG1: Predictive Assembly); and how to deploy the tools of synthetic biology to build soft materials (IRG2: Stimuli-Responsive Living Polymeric Materials). Both challenges require the combined efforts of investigators from physical sciences, biological sciences, computational sciences, and engineering. The UCSD MRSEC team engages key partners from industry, national laboratories, and the international research community. These interactions are enabled by immersive educational and training experiences, and they harness a strategic partnership with San Diego’s Fleet Science Center for community education and outreach to benefit a diverse and broad cross-section of society. read more