James J. Collins discusses his research, which focuses on developing techniques and devices to characterize, improve and mimic biological function. Dr. Collins' specific research interests include: systems biology (reverse engineering naturally occurring gene regulatory networks); synthetic biology (modeling, designing and constructing synthetic gene networks); and developing noise-based sensory prosthetics. **James J. Collins** is professor of Biomedical Engineering and co-director of the Center for BioDynamics at Boston University. He has received a number of awards and honors, including the American Society of Biomechanics Young Scientist Award, the Thomas Stephen Group Prize from the Engineering in Medicine Group of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Early Career Achievement Award, Boston University's Metcalf Cup and Prize for Excellence in Teaching, and being selected for Technology Review's inaugural TR 100, a group of 100 young innovators who will shape the future of technology. Dr. Collins is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and the Institute of Physics. In 2003, he was selected as a McArthur Fellow.