This is the inaugural issue of Asimov Press, a publishing venture devoted to biotechnology. Aptly, our first issue celebrates origins. From the inception of synthetic biology to the beginnings of human challenge trials and the making of the first transgenic ants, this collection explores some of the foundational discoveries that have led us to the scientific world as we know it. Inside, we feature work by Michael Elowitz, Metacelsus, Taylor Hart, Niko McCarty, Trevor Klee, Wendi Yan, José Luis Ricón, Tom Ireland, Jake Eberts, Tom Ough, and Xander Balwit.