What gives a cell its identity? Can it be changed? These are some of the most fundamental questions in biology with profound implications for our understanding and ability to harness their applications. The traditional developmental biology perspective assumes that cells are defined by their (epigenetic) history. Synbio challenges this perspective. Now, we can see that cell identity is controlled by transcription factors, which can be programmed with deterministic accuracy—that is, we can program cells to become specific types at specific stages. This new paradigm, combined with our ability to read, write, and execute genetic code, opens unprecedented opportunities for programming human cells and improving human health. Join John Cumbers in welcoming Nobel Laureate Thomas Südhof and bit.bio Founder Mark Kotter for an inspiring exploration of where this new paradigm could lead us.